Richmond Breaks Losing Streak with Gritty Win over Adelaide, Injury Woes Continue for Crows

Adelaide is running out of chances to keep its ever-fading finals hopes alive and simply must beat the injury-ravaged Richmond. A defeat would all but end the Crows’ season, especially with high-flying Sydney to follow before a bye.

Richmond has continued to battle hard in recent weeks even as its injury toll mounts up without getting the reward of four points. The Tigers travelled well during their period of success so can carry some hope into taking on the under-fire Crows, even on their home deck.

Adelaide has dropped ruckman Reilly O'Brien and lost Taylor Walker, Matt Crouch, and Brayden Cook to injury, with Kieran Strachan, Ned McHenry, and Will Hamill coming in alongside debutant Billy Dowling. The Tigers regain guns Tim Taranto, Shai Bolton, and Dion Prestia and forward Jacob Koschitzke, with injured pair Mykelti Lefau and Marlion Pickett out alongside the rested Dustin Martin and omitted Kaleb Smith.

Richmond’s horrific injury toll eased in time for a few of Adem Yze’s classiest charges to return and have a big say in the Tigers snapping a 67-day drought, conjuring their first win since shocking Sydney on Easter Sunday. Back from a concussion break, Shai Bolton’s radar was off, but he was in the thick of most of the action on Thursday night, whether devastating in the centre square or roaming ominously across half-forward.

Long-time Crows ruck understudy Kieran Strachan’s shock return to the AFL ended in the lumbering big man substituting out with a groin injury. Strachan, who was summoned to replace O’Brien for just his sixth AFL game since being rookie-drafted way back in 2019, had some strong moments. He snared a huge contested mark in the second quarter amid a solid pack of Darcy Fogarty, Toby Nankervis, and Ben Miller, before being mobbed by teammates when he slotted the first goal of his AFL career, giving the Crows the lead.

The Taylor Walker-less Crows pulled an early shock when specialist backman Borlase lined up deep in attack. Borlase fluffed an opportunity to nail his first goal at AFL level when he miscued a set shot after the quarter-time siren. The son of Port Adelaide SANFL premiership captain Darryl and netball legend Jenny, Borlase made amends in the opening minute of the second half when he converted a free kick against Nathan Broad.

Richmond are on the cusp of snapping their protracted losing streak after forging ahead of Adelaide by 22 points at three-quarter time. After defender-turned-forward James Borlase’s maiden AFL goal put the Crows in front by seven points in the opening minute of the third term, the Tigers wrestled back complete control. Classy Shai Bolton showed was influential in the rearguard, as was fellow returnee Tim Taranto.