2017 AFL Grand Final

Adelaide’s third AFL grand final started with great optimism but ended in despair.  

There was no second prize for an outstanding 2017 season by the Crows, after Richmond mauled the minor premiers by 48 points before 100,021 fans at the MCG. 

Adelaide started well in a hectic opening, kicking the first two goals of the game and then two more late in the first term to lead by 11 points.

But the Tigers sealed their 11th flag with a run of seven unanswered goals from early in the second quarter until ten minutes into the third term to lead by 28 points.

And when captain Taylor Walker finally broke Adelaide’s goal drought with a 40m set shot midway through the third term, the Tigers swiftly killed off any hopes of a Crows comeback, rattling on the next four goals to take an unassailable 45-point lead early in the final term.

Adelaide’s 8.12 was its lowest score of the season but the Crows had major issues all across the ground

They lost contested possessions by 30, ground ball gets by 35 and had their ball movement restricted. Richmond’s pressure forced turnovers and it was able to play most of the game in its forward half, particularly in the decisive third term.

Adelaide led 28-15 early in the second term after behinds to Eddie Betts and Tom Lynch but the Tigers lifted their intensity and booted 4.1 to 0.5 to set up a nine-point lead at half-time.

From there, Adelaide’s day worsened. Richmond dominated the contest in the third term and took advantage to add 5.4 while holding the Crows to 1.3.

Goals to Brad Crouch and Walker midway through the last quarter reduced the margin to 32 points but it was not long before Richmond was celebrating its first flag since 1980.

Crows ruckman Jacobs received the most Club Champion votes (12) in the grand final, followed by half-back Rory Laird (11), Matt Crouch and Sloane (both nine).

Coach Don Pyke said: “I’m very proud of the players and what they achieved but the reality is if we sit here content, we’re going nowhere. We came to win a premiership and came away empty-handed and that’s got to drive us to continue to improve.”

Crows line-up:

B: Rory Laird, Daniel Talia, Jake Lever

HB: Paul Seedsman, Kyle Hartigan, Luke Brown

C: David Mackay, Rory Sloane, Rory Atkins

HF: Tom Lynch, Taylor Walker, Richard Douglas

F: Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Charlie Cameron

R: Sam Jacobs, Brad Crouch, Matt Crouch

Int: Riley Knight, Jake Kelly, Hugh Greenwood, Andy Otten

Emerg: Wayne Milera jnr, Alex Keath, Reilly O’Brien

ADELAIDE       4.1     4.7      5.10     8.12       (60)
RICHMOND     2.3     6.4     11.8     16.12     (108)
GOALS
Adelaide: Sloane 2, Walker 2, Betts, Greenwood, B. Crouch, Cameron 
Richmond: Graham 3, Townsend 2, Martin 2, Caddy, Houli, Riewoldt, Grigg, Lambert, Castagna, Riewoldt, Prestia, Butler

BEST
Adelaide: Jacobs, Laird, M. Crouch, Sloane, B. Crouch, Hartigan.
Richmond: Martin, Rance, Houli, Astbury, Prestia, Edwards, Graham, Grimes

Grand final week gallery