Adelaide Prevails in Wet Conditions Against St Kilda: Thilthorpe’s Return Key to Crows’ Victory

In a tightly contested match at the rain-soaked Adelaide Oval, the Adelaide Crows emerged victorious over St Kilda by 32 points in challenging conditions. The clash saw the return of key forward Riley Thilthorpe, whose two final-quarter goals proved instrumental in securing the win.

Thilthorpe, starting as a substitute, made a significant impact after entering the game at three-quarter time. His dominance in the forward line, with seven disposals, helped Adelaide to score four goals in the last term and seal the victory over St Kilda with a final scoreline of 10.11 (71) to 5.9 (39).

The standout performances for the Crows included on-baller Jake Soligo, who thrived in the wet conditions with 25 disposals, as well as experienced players Jordan Dawson and triple club champion Rory Laird, who contributed 26 and 31 disposals respectively.

St Kilda’s efforts were led by defender Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who gathered 29 possessions, and Mattaes Phillipou, who stood out with 20 possessions and a remarkable goal in the third quarter. Mason Wood and Cooper Sharman were among the goal scorers for St Kilda, while Hunter Clark and Zak Jones were busy throughout the game.

At the end of the first quarter, St Kilda held a narrow lead of 3.3 to 2.1, with Sharman slotting two set-shots and Phillipou making his presence felt with eight disposals. However, Adelaide turned the tide in the second quarter, scoring three goals to take a four-point halftime advantage.

The heavy rain persisted throughout the third term, resulting in a scoring stalemate, broken only by Phillipou’s impressive goal for St Kilda. In the final quarter, Adelaide extended their lead with goals from Billy Dowling and the impactful Thilthorpe, ensuring a convincing win for the home side.

Despite the challenging conditions, both teams exhibited strong efforts, but Adelaide’s ability to adapt and capitalize on opportunities proved decisive in securing victory over St Kilda at the Adelaide Oval.