Six Things We Learnt: Crows vs Port Adelaide

Adelaide and Port Adelaide have gone toe-to-toe in Mount Barker at the Summit Sport and Recreation Park for the first time to start both teams’ seasons in 2025. 

The Crows were able to emerge victorious 22.11.143 to 14.14.98 across the six periods, as West Lakes gained bragging rights before the teams reconvene in Round Nine at the Adelaide Oval for premiership points.     

With both teams focusing on more immediate challenges in Round One, here’s six things we learnt from the trial game. 

Adelaide’s Midfield Dominance  

Adelaide was able to get on a run and multiple goals during the second term.  A lot of this came from the Crows fast ball movement, and more importantly, their midfielders.  The Crows’ ball movement was slick as they were able to cut the Power on their way into the forward 50.   

Jake Soligo had a great game as he looked to start 2025 in the same way he finished 2024.  Finishing with multiple goals and a heap of the football, it seems the skies the limit for Soligo this year. 

Fast Brand of Football

It wasn’t just the Crows that had fast ball movement, the Power also found their spark. 

Something Port were able to do well was to change direction as they were attacking. 

One play in the second quarter lead to a Connor Rozee goal.  Jason Horne-Francis took a mark in his defensive 50, from there the Power were able to change angles as they shifted the Crows backline across until Rozee was able to mark and convert. 

It seemed that both teams seemed to wanted to keep the ball moving, and were almost willing to take any yardage they could get.  Handballs were preferred to kicks, as both teams ran the ball to enter the forward 50. 

The defensive set up of both teams meant that the entries were shallow more often then not, but that did allow the forwards to lead to the ball, or open the door for intercept marks.   

Riley Thilthorpe Hype is Real

There’s plenty of excitement when the name Riley Thilthorpe is mentioned at West Lakes, and for good reason.  Thilthorpe kicked multiple goals across the evening as he demanded the football from his midfielders.  He’d also brought the kicking boots down the M1, as he slotted three goals for the game.   The former West Adelaide junior worried defenders with his size and strength, drawing free kicks as he tore the game to shreds. 

In the ruck, he was able to disrupt the Port big men as he gears up to spend more time in the middle in 2025.  One of the weapons Thilthorpe has is his ability to move quickly, he was able to win the ground ball and assist his midfielders to get the ball moving forward for the Crows. 

Darcy Bryne-Jones is a Forward

Half-forward or half-back?

The All-Australian defender moved forward at the start of last season, and it looks to be a position that he is very comfortable with. With two goals in the first quarter, and another later on, Byrne-Jones look a real handful for defenders.

The New Kids on the Blocks

Pick four from last year’s draft, Sid Draper was solid in his first game trial game.  He was able to dispose cleanly of the football when he had position and worked hard of the football to create space for his teammates. 

Across the other side, Joe Berry contributed in his new colours.   The first-round pick was able to kick a goal and use his football smarts as he showcased his speed, zipping between the forward line and the midfield. 

Who replaces Dan Houston

That’s the question for Ken Hinkley ahead of his final season at the helm?

Two All-Australian selections, a Port Adelaide Best and Fairest, and plenty of admiration from his time at Alberton, it won’t be easy. 

It looks likely that Josh Sinn will be the player that comes into the best 23 for the Power, he will be assisted by Jase Burgoyne, who’s looking to spend time between the wing and half-back this year. 

Another option for the Power is Miles Bergman.  Bergman was able to get the football as he run forward, his good delivery was a dream for forwards as he lasered the ball inside forward 50. 

However, Port’s Houston problem may be solved by the Collingwood recruit’s partner-in-crime from last year, in Kane Farrell.  

Farrell’s attributes are well known by Port and opposition fans alike, however in his first game without Houston, Farrell didn’t miss a beat.  He was able to drive the ball off half back for the Power when they moved it forward.  

Injuries:

Ryan Burton

Burton was ginger as he come from the ground in the second quarter.  However, Tyson Goldsack, Port Adelaide’s assistant coach, confirmed that all looked well;

“We’d be running thin if we lost him,” Goldsack said. 

“He’s been pretty important for us, and had good month of footy too.  Just a knock to his shin/ankle, he’ll be okay.  Sore for a few days no doubt.”   

The Power will now travel to Melbourne, a game against St Kilda next Sunday to continue their preseason. The Crows take on the Brisbane Lions up north for their final hit out before the main show starts on a Sunday at the Adelaide Oval against the Saints.