AFL
AAP 6y

Crows grind out win over sloppy Saints

AFL

Not pretty, but Adelaide have notched their second win of the AFL season, the Crows overcoming St Kilda by 49 points at Etihad Stadium.

The Saints were just eight points down in a dour Saturday night contest when Josh Bruce kicked their fourth goal 10 minutes into the third term.

But the Crows booted the last five majors of the quarter to set up the 15.14 (104) to 7.13 (55) win in front of 19,324 fans.

Sam Jacobs (20 possessions and 37 hit-outs) and Bryce Gibbs (26 disposals and 10 tackles) were influential at the stoppages for Adelaide.

Rory Laird (32 touches) and Paul Seedsman (26 possessions and two goals) were outstanding across half-back.

Seb Ross (32 disposals), Luke Dunstan (30) and Jack Steven (28) were important for St Kilda.

But on a clear night with the stadium roof open, both sides were guilty of committing some basic errors in a scrappy first half.

A week after their Good Friday disaster against North Melbourne, in which they kicked 2.10 in the first half, the Saints were only slightly better with 3.9.

But the out-of-sorts Crows weren't able to capitalise.

Eddie Betts' brilliant opening goal - his first of the season - was a rare highlight.

The spark, pressure and pinpoint ball movement of last week's win over Richmond were nowhere in evidence for the most part as Don Pyke's men scratched out a 10-point halftime lead.

Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker managed just two possessions to halftime, but he added two of his three goals as the visitors made their move in the third quarter.

The Crows managed to get on top at the stoppages, with Betts finishing his midfield's good work with another two majors.

Adelaide led by 40 points heading into the last quarter and appeared content to ease to the finish line.

Forward Tim Membrey was a late out for the Saints with knee soreness, replaced by Nathan Wright.

Adelaide return home to host Collingwood on Friday night, while St Kilda will take a trip down the highway to face Geelong.

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