ADELAIDE has stayed within striking distance of the top four and extended its winning streak to seven after smashing Fremantle by 117 points in a record-breaking night at AAMI Stadium.
Fremantle kicked just one point in the first quarter, was held scoreless in the second and found its first and only goal at the 12-minute mark of the third as the Crows cantered to a 19.16 (130) to 1.7 (13) victory.
The visitor's score eclipsed its previous lowest effort of 3.7 against Geelong at Skilled Stadium in round 20, 2004 while the final margin equalled the biggest defeat in its history.
Fremantle's half-time total (0.1) was the lowest since Fitzroy went without points against Essendon in round one, 1995.
Kurt Tippett, wasteful at times, was comfortably the best forward on the ground with five goals, though a three-goal final term from Jason Porplyzia matched that contribution. Patrick Dangerfield chipped in with three.
Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin celebrated his 250th game with 27 possessions and Andy Otten (27), Scott Thompson (27), David Mackay (26) and Bernie Vince (29) provided a lot of the drive.
On paper, Fremantle – without captain Matthew Pavlich and giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands – looked destined to struggle against the in-form Crows and that’s how it immediately unfolded.
As has been the case in recent weeks, Adelaide's effective zone, congestion of its defensive half and incredible pressure on the ball carrier made almost every foray difficult for Fremantle from the first bounce.
Adelaide squandered two early shots on goal, but when Scott Stevens kicked truly at the four-minute mark the home side didn’t look back.
Otten, Graham Johncock and Andrew McLeod were instrumental as the Crows registered nine scoring shots to one in the opening term.
It took Fremantle 11 minutes to finally penetrate its inside 50, but a behind – to Luke McPharlin – was all it could muster for the quarter.
Unlike Fremantle, Adelaide had little trouble moving the ball up the ground, best shown when it ended in Tippett's hands after it was kicked out from full-back less than 20 seconds earlier.
The margin was 33 points as the second quarter followed a familiar trend.
Adelaide entered its forward 50 on 15 occasions, for a return of 5.5, and continued to keep Fremantle goalless.
Nathan Bock and Thompson got involved as the Crows ran rings around hapless Fremantle and forced so many turnovers.
Stevens and Porplyzia extended Adelaide’s lead to 46 points and Dangerfield featured in some breathtaking passages of play, including a sliding mark in the goal square.
He converted for his second goal and when Tippett sharked another from the ruck contest, the lead was out to 62 points.
Kepler Bradley had Fremantle’s best scoring opportunity for the term, but his kick from the boundary line summed up his side’s night when it drifted across the face and failed to even register a behind.
With the margin 68 points at the main break, the third quarter was memorable only for Ryan Murphy finally breaking Fremantle's goalkicking duck.
Spotted by Tim Ruffles, Fremantle's 10th debutant of the season, Murphy converted his set shot at the 12-minute mark and it appeared to inspire a more committed effort from his teammates.
Fremantle had another four scoring opportunities for the quarter, but failed to convert and goals to Dangerfield and Porplyzia ensured the Crows were 75 points clear at the final change.
Then a late onslaught had punters reaching for the record books.
Adelaide 5.4 10.9 12.14 19.16 (130)
Fremantle 0.1 0.1 1.5 1.7 (13)
GOALS
Adelaide: Tippett 5, Porplyzia 5, Dangerfield 3, Stevens 2, Knights 2, McLeod, Shirley
Fremantle: Murphy
BEST
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Porplyzia, Otten, Thompson, Bock, Tippett, Vince, Mackay, Goodwin
Fremantle: Broughton, Duffield, Hasleby
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Fremantle: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Hay, Jeffery
Official crowd: 32,451 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
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