Round 18
Adelaide Crows vs Gold Coast Suns
Adelaide Oval
Well, to say that the Suns season was on life support coming into this contest is like saying the running of the FIFA world cup is currently suspect.
After looking red-hot early, the Suns were in the midst of a six-game losing streak and facing the daunting task of Adelaide in Adelaide. After snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in a see-sawing contest against Collingwood, this is a must win – made harder due to the suspension of their spark plug Ben Long.
For the home side, they come in as favourites, especially with the welcome additions of Riley Thilthorpe and All-Australian fancy Wayne Milera back into the side. This contest makes for a classic eight-point game, in that depending on the result it is somewhat consolidation or commiseration.
Well, as it turns out, this review will be just as complimentary to Adelaide as Ken Hinkey and Mark Ruccutio were in the commentary box. After a tight first quarter, Adelaide kicked off and all but ended the Suns’ disappointing season (run home considered) with a massive win by 79 points.
The Crows simply attacked the Suns after quarter time, displaying intense pressure and ball movement, and played like a team that were gearing up for a serious tilt in September. On the flip side, Gold Coast resembled roadkill after a trip down the highway.
Let’s see how this played out.
THE GAMEPLAN
Adelaide dominated with fierce tackling pressure, absolutely dismantling the Suns multimillion-dollar midfield, while also punishing them on the counterattack. The main quartet of Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine, Sam Berry, and James Peatling took the opposition to the woodshed and laid on a beating, with over 40 more team tackles than the Suns. Meanwhile down back, Mark Keane took care of Ben King. The rebound and speed through the middle decimated the Suns defensive unit, leading to a massive 19 extra scoring shots.
Gold Coast did not appear to have much of a game plan if I’m being brutally honest, as the forward line provided little movement, the midfield were playing around with the footy, and the backline was under constant siege. There really was only a few of the visiting team that could hold their heads high after this display.
IT’S A CONTACT SPORT
As mentioned, the intense tackling pressure really asked questions of the Suns and also gave answers as to why this group is languishing in 14th spot. I’m pretty undecided whether the intent of the Suns to take a tackle, or make a tackle is worse… they just seem to be stuck in this frustrating middle ground where they don’t really do anything well. And it was as though the Crows sensed this early, and went for the kill.
There was some chatter suggesting the Gold Coast Titans were coming in to do some type of tackling and contact training. Well, the Titans rank at the bottom of the ladder in tackle efficiency, so I am not sure what they’ll be teaching, but the biggest issue seems to be mental… the majority of the players look like they don’t WANT to lay a big tackle. WWhen that is the takeaway from a game like this, it bodes terribly. After all, it’s a contact sport
On the flipside, IF Adelaide attack like this, they will be an extremely tough team to beat in the run home, injuries notwithstanding. That the Crows were +47 in disposals and somehow managed to be +35 in tackles tells a story they would be thrilled with. The Suns… less thrilled, obviously.
TEXAN BARBECUES
Even though I sit here, dejected as a Suns supporter, I was hoping Taylor Walker cracked his 700th goal in this game, as not only did he deserve this milestone on his home ground, frankly, so did we. Tex wound back the clock with a vintage performance, kicking 5.4 while opposed (early) to young Sun Oscar Adams, then in the last quarter he really let his remaining hair down and got a few quick ones on the stalwart Sam Collins. Despite being no spring chicken, Walker is still a very dangerous forward, and his Footy-IQ is still amongst the best in the business. Mark my words: He will win the Crows a final one way or another in 2026.
He now sits on 699 career goals and will go down as one of the all-time great forwards.
CHEF COOKS
Patrolling half back and the wing, Brayden Cook had himself a game. While Milera and Worrell get most of the plaudits (and rightly so) Cook stood up in the first half when the game was there in the balance with some crucial intercepts. he is a very unheralded part of this overall Crows unit that has great firepower. He stepped up especially when Rory Laird departed with an ankle injury during the first half.
Cook finished this game with 19 touches, but 15 of them came when the game was alive,. That’s how you assess impact. he didn’t join in the pile on after halftime, but he was integral to the Crows setting the win up.
RAISE THE BAT
A massive narrative of the Suns losing streak is their inability to prevent teams scoring, as they have conceded over 100pts in six of their last seven games. However, despite the putrid scoreline, Bodhi Uwland, Sam Collins and Mac Andrew did all they could.
While most will point to Andrew’s brain fade immediately (and likely dismiss my comment) the fact is that he re-aquainted himself with best friend Riley Thilthorpe and kept him to five kicks and one behind from a contest that yielded 33 scoring shots. Collins and Uwland were immense in the first half, before weight of numbers won out and they became innocent bystanders as well. Collins leading the way with a game high 12 intercepts.
BRETT’S BLAST – ETHAN READ
Harsh probably, but if he was any shorter there would be questions as to if he was playing or not. Some of this might not be his fault – a 200cm wingman on a greasy night is about as tactically clever as a military sniper wearing high vis singlet. Fumbly all night and made zero impact.
A dishonourable mention goes to Joel Jeffrey – let me explain
Early on, he let Josh Rachele get off the hook, and I’ve been critical of him for a few weeks now in that he should go back to the reserves until he can apply some defensive football. He looks particularly disinterested unless there is a time to get the ball. Honestly, he reminds me a lot of Adam Saad in that regard. Call me old-school, but IF you cannot defend, I would never put you in defence… but, I digress
UNSUNG HEROES
I hate the way James Peatling tends to exaggerate contact when he feels a semi high tackle, however, outside of that he is a weapon. Around the clinches he was a massive contributor when it came to stonewalling the visitors. While Dawson and now Berry are starting to get their plaudits, Peatling is a massively underrated weapon in the brutal arsenal of the Crows in the coalface.
Dan Curtin will be a monster in whichever position he is stationed as his career progresses. Whether taking off from half back or winning contested ball, he made some really critical plays in the first half with the venom still in the game. If I’m in the Eagles camp, I’m moving heaven and earth in getting this guy back over the border. If I am in the Crows camp, even though he is under wraps until 2029, I am talking contract extension with him at the earliest convenience
Izak Rankine is a superstar, this much is evident. However, from what I saw in this game, and a few times this season, there is more composure starting to creep in to his game. In the past he would be looking for the big play with every touch, whereas now, he is looking to make the right play with every disposal. He has added plenty of steak to the sizzle he always possessed. As much as it pains me to say, his progression has been a joy to watch – I just wish it was a longer period in the Suns guernsey.
The ruck battle was criminally underrated by the commentary team. While full of praise for Lachie McAndrew, who continues to be one of the game’;s surprise packets this year, Ned Moyle also proved once again he was up to the task as the Suns number one ruck. Amassing a mammoth 58 hit outs and seven clearances he stood up for the misfiring Gold Coast engine room.
SUNBURT
If not for the well-known Richmond successes in Damian Hardwick’s resume, one might question his path to the job, as several things for 2026 don’t add up.
Stories about player disfunction, role questioning, and multiple gameplans are flying around, but even still, one question I have wondered the most in 2026 is WHAT THE F IS HARDWICK DOING?
The Suns’ best two-way player in history is a shell of his former self. Remember how Touk Miller was once a Brownlow Medal favourite?
Bailey Humphrey – one of the most coveted players in the past 18 months is being overlooked in the midfield for Beau Addinsall.
Ben King – the set shot specialist reportedly worth 1.4 million a season.
The Suns have once again lost their identity, as the defence is built on speed and counterattack, while the midfield is built around contested ball dominance. Those two go together like milk and lemon. There is no synergy or continuity in what has to be done, and that’s where the failures began.
As a player, Dimma was a flog (let’s be honest) however, he was a heart and soul player that would expect everybody to play to his standards in brutalising his opponent by fear or by force, but it appears that it has become acceptable now that his charges don’t walk the white line.
It would be idiotic of me to not concede that the Suns starting 23 is the youngest in the competition, and there is almost a dozen missing players from last year’s Elimination Final win over Flagmantle last year, however, it is the method that is quite concerning.
QUICK BITS
Zeke Uwland looks to be rapidly gaining composure as a defensive wingman, operating as an outlet and set-up man (as an NFL fan I hate the “quarterback term” in this form of football) while also looking more adept at knowing when to take a tackler on, as opposed to giving the first option.
Season likely done for Will Graham with a shoulder unfortunately. It will be an underrated loss, as he is one of the few that provides that missing defensive willingness – expect Sam Clohesy to come straight in.
With a big mix of winnable games and entertaining contests, this Crows side could make a legitimate push towards the double chance, while having matchups against the flying Swans and Dockers, they also take on Richmond, Collingwood, and Essendon, as well as the unpredictable Giants. You’d expect four wins to round out the season, but be hoping the club could knock over one of the Dockers or Swans to really announce themselves and secure themselves a double chance.
Based on form and intensity, Jed Walter is rapidly approaching (if not overtaking) Ben King as the most prized asset that the Suns MUST KEEP. Yes, it sounds outlandish purely based on the theory of proven vs unproven, but not only is the upside bigger, the desire is more prevalent in the understudy. In the next few games, it wouldn’t surprise me if AFL fans see another tall in the Suns lineup- spoiler alert ** watch out for Caleb Lewis.
Overall, a powerful display from the Crows, who were a cut above the Suns. Whilst many have criticised their staright-sets finals last year, the club now appears more settled, and having fought through injury to key players this year, they are getting healthy at the right time.
With Milera, Worrell and Keane operating defenisvely around the mass of humanity that goes by the name of James Borlase, the Crows are set to give things a shake this season. Their upcoming clashes with the two top sides are mouth-watering, and will give us a great indication of how deep this team can go into September.
