Crows down Dockers

Adelaide put a week of controversy behind them with a topsy-turvy 24-point AFL victory over Fremantle in an error-riddled clash at Subiaco Oval on Sunday. In a scrappy contest blighted by continual turnovers and poor decision-making, the Crows looked to have the game in the bag when Nathan van Berlo's goal at the 22-minute mark of the third term gave the visitors a 25-point lead.

But in an amazing turnaround, the Dockers booted the next five goals to snatch a
six-point advantage six minutes into the final term, only for the Crows to settle
with six of the final seven goals of the match to secure the 15.14 (104) to 11.14
(80) win.
However, the Crows' second victory of the season was soured by what appeared to be a
serious facial injury to swingman Scott Stevens.
The game was stopped for several minutes just before halftime as Stevens was
stretchered off the ground after copping an errant knee to the face from Luke
McPharlin in a marking contest.
It was a clumsy challenge from McPharlin, who ran back with the flight of the ball
before cannoning into the marking contest between Stevens and Antoni Grover.
Jason Porplyzia finished with four goals for the Crows while youngster Patrick
Dangerfield, Tyson Edwards, Bernie Vince and Richard Douglas provided plenty of run
and carry.
Fremantle tagger Steven Dodd restricted Andrew McLeod to 19 possessions, although
the Adelaide veteran fought back to finish with eight inside 50s and also boot a
vital tumbling goal in the final term to halt the Dockers' surge.
Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich finished with three goals, while Ryan Crowley
chipped in with two.
The game kicked off with the temperature still hovering above 34C and both sides
struggled for fluency in the opening term as the fluky breeze, favouring Fremantle's
end, made for shocking kicking.
Van Berlo twice kicked it out on the full with an open goal beckoning while
Fremantle's Daniel Gilmore was also guilty of missing the target as the Dockers
emerged from the error-fest with a 14-point advantage at the first break.
The Crows, rocked last week by Nathan Bock's arrest for assault, completely
dominated the second stanza as Fremantle capitulated under the heavy pressure of
their zone.
The Dockers entered their forward 50m arc just four times for the term compared to
Adelaide's 15, with the Crows booting four unanswered goals for the stanza to take a
handy 18-point advantage into halftime.
Fremantle speedster Stephen Hill, who endured a forgettable first half, made amends
in the after the long break to help inspire the Dockers' comeback, with Chris
Tarrant also sparking to life in the final term.
But a set shot miss from Rhys Palmer just 20m out from goal and straight in front
spelled the end for the Dockers, with Taylor Walker booting two quick goals and
Porplyzia adding another to seal the win.