Adelaide has overpowered St Kilda with an impressive victory of 63 points, marking their season opener on March 16, 2025, at Adelaide Oval. The final score read 21.9 (135) to St Kilda’s 10.12 (72), showcasing Adelaide's offensive prowess throughout the match.
From the very start, the Crows set the tone, storming to five unanswered goals within the opening 18 minutes. This strong beginning created significant pressure on the Saints, who were missing seven of their first-choice players due to injuries.
Leading the charge for Adelaide was Darcy Fogarty, who finished the game with four goals. His performance was complemented by Riley Thilthorpe, who netted three goals, and Josh Rachele, who contributed two goals. Their combined efforts allowed Adelaide to easily exploit the chances created by their dominant midfield.
By the end of the first quarter, Adelaide had built up substantial momentum, leading 7.2 to 2.2. Even though St Kilda managed to tighten their defense and score two goals to Adelaide’s three second-quarter goals, they were still trailing by 37 points at halftime.
The third quarter saw the floodgates open for the Crows, who scored seven consecutive goals within just 22 minutes, effectively putting the game out of reach. Among these seven goals were contributions from newly recruited players - Isaac Cumming and James Peatling, alongside former Melbourne forward Alex Neal-Bullen. Cumming, on debut, finished with two goals and 16 disposals, and Neal-Bullen gathered 21 touches, effectively integrating themselves within the team alongside established players.
Captain Jordan Dawson had another standout performance, finishing with 27 disposals and two goals, guiding the team with decisive leadership. He was pivotal throughout the match, particularly during the first quarter, which saw him rack up nine disposals, mark the ball three times, and score one goal, underscoring his influence on the game.
Izak Rankine and Jake Soligo also stepped up, with Rankine collecting 28 disposals and scoring two goals, and Soligo finishing with 29 disposals and one major. Matt Crouch added to the mix, gathering 31 disposals alongside his own goal, rounding out a strong performance from Adelaide's midfield.
Defensively, Adelaide was fortified by Josh Worrell, Mark Keane, and Rory Laird, who collectively dominated their defensive duties throughout the match. Their performance, alongside the offensive firepower, left St Kilda struggling to find any consistent threat. Despite the challenges, Saints’ player Jack Macrae had game-high stats, racking up 34 disposals as he tried to lead his team by example.
After leading the team so well, Dawson found himself briefly matched by Saints’ Marcus Windhager, who attempted to tag him during the second quarter. Nevertheless, Dawson's impact remained irrefutable as he continued to excel under pressure.
For St Kilda, the match wasn't without its bright spots. Max Hall, making his AFL debut after being picked up during last year's mid-season draft, hit the scoreboard twice, finishing with two goals and 16 disposals. Similarly, Mason Wood and Jack Higgins also each managed to score twice, offering some resistance against the Crows' barrage.
Midway through the third term, veteran forward Taylor Walker was rested, and rookie Sid Draper, the No. 4 draft pick, made his AFL debut. Draper made quick contributions, finishing with eight disposals and two clearances from limited game time (33 percent), to cheers from the Adelaide crowd, which numbered 42,895.
St Kilda found it tough to establish clear winners on their side, though Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera gathered 27 touches as he worked tirelessly across half-back.
The final blow came when Adelaide’s attack proved too relentless, with every attack filled with confidence and execution. Consequently, they exited the game not only with the win but also with momentum heading deep within the season.
With the 63-point victory under their belt, Adelaide looks forward to building on this solid foundation, aiming for continued success as the season progresses.