Dangerfield silences Crows

Adelaide Crows v Geelong Cats, AFL 2025 round 5 GEELONG led by captain and former Adelaide Crows player Patrick Dangerfield overcame a five goal deficit to defeat the Crows on their home turf on Thursday night by 19 points in the first match of the AFL’s ‘Gather Round’. The Crows fans were at their absolute finest, ensuring travelling fans were felt welcomeand totally accepted the result in good grace. Oh we are sorry it’s 11 April now 1 Aprl!

The match began with an electrifying pace, as both teams traded early blows in a high-scoring opening term. Adelaide edged ahead by five points at quarter-time, showcasing their attacking prowess. The Crows continued their dominance in the second quarter, extending their lead to 30 points at one stage. However, Geelong managed to claw back some ground before halftime, reducing the margin to 12 points.

Geelong’s resurgence was spearheaded by their midfield trio Max Holmes, Bailey Smith and his coffee companion Tom Atkins who played pivotal roles controlling possession and driving the ball forward. Smith, in particular, was instrumental with 35 disposals and nine score involvements, while Holmes contributed 32 disposals and five clearances. Their ability to win contested possessions and maintain pressure on Adelaide’s defense proved crucial in shifting the momentum.

The third quarter saw Geelong intensify their efforts, kicking three unanswered goals to narrow the gap to just eight points by the final break. Despite Adelaide’s firepower, Geelong matched them in key statistics, leading the clearance battle and maintaining a strong tackle count – perhaps the subscribed to Krock commentator Ben Casanelia’s “tackle pot” theory? The Cats’ defensive unit also stepped up, restricting Adelaide to just four goals in the second half.

The final quarter was a showcase of Geelong’s attacking brilliance. Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield emerged as match-winners, delivering clutch performances when it mattered most. Cameron kicked the opening two goals of the term, reclaiming the lead for Geelong, while Dangerfield added two more to extend their advantage. Cameron sealed the victory with his fourth goal, ensuring the Cats walked away with a remarkable win.

Adelaide, despite their strong start, struggled to maintain their defensive structure in the latter stages of the match. Their attacking style, which had seen them score nearly 100 points more than any other team this season, was overshadowed by Geelong’s ability to capitalize on defensive lapses. Izak Rankine was a standout performer for the Crows, collecting 25 disposals, seven intercepts, and two goals, while Ben Keays and Darcy Fogarty also made significant contributions.

The loss marks Adelaide’s second consecutive defeat, raising concerns about their ability to close out tight contests. With a crucial clash against GWS looming, the Crows will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and find ways to sustain their attacking momentum throughout the match.

Geelong’s victory, on the other hand, reinforces their reputation as a team capable of overcoming adversity. Their ability to execute a 49-point turnaround under pressure highlights their tactical discipline and depth across the field. With key players stepping up in critical moments, the Cats have positioned themselves as strong contenders moving forward.

Overall, the Round 5 clash between Adelaide and Geelong was a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of AFL football. While Adelaide showcased their attacking firepower, Geelong’s resilience and strategic execution ultimately secured them a well-earned victory. The match will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the standout performances of the season, with Geelong proving once again that they are never out of the contest until the final siren sounds.

AFL 2025 ROUND 5
ADELAIDE CROWS V GEELONG CATS
THURSDAY 10 APRIL 2025, 19:40 AEST
ADELAIDE OVAL

GEELONG CATS 4.4, 9.6, 13.8, 18.11 (119) DEFEATED
ADELAIDE CROWS 5.3, 11.6, 14.10, 15.10 (100)

GOALS
GEELONG CATS: Dangerfield 4, Cameron 4, Close 2, Dempsey 2, Guthrie, Henry, Neale, Bowes, Holmes, Smith
ADELAIDE CROWS: Fogarty 4, Keays 3, Walker 2, Rankine 2, Curtin, Taylor, Draper, Thilthorpe

BEST
GEELONG CATS: Dangerfield, Smith, Holmes, Cameron, Atkins, O’Sullivan
ADELAIDE CROWS: Keays, Fogarty, Peatling, Rankine, Crouch, Laird

INJURIES
GEELONG CATS: Nil reported
ADELAIDE CROWS: Nil reported

CHANGES
GEELONG CATS: Tom Stewart (GASTRO), replaced in selected side by ‘Big’ Ted Clohesy
ADELAIDE CROWS: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
GEELONG CATS: Ted Clohesy, replaced Oisin Mullin in the fourth quarter
ADELAIDE CROWS: Zac Taylor, replaced Lachlan Sholl in the third quarter

REPORTS
GEELONG CATS: –
ADELAIDE CROWS: –

CROWD: 50,073 at Adelaide Oval