Round 1 West v Adelaide

[locky801]

How ####### long is this quarter going

All finished, the Bloods by 7 points

[Brodlach]

Ripper.

Love Bass!

[Brodlach]

Bloods still holding sway amongst the factories

West 11.10
Adelaide 7.3

Brodlach will be getting excited

Just saw this, I’m away and was walking around refreshing the website. Reckon I’ve just done 10,000 steps

[MannyK]

Well done Westies, good stuff.

[Brodlach]

I’m ok if we end the season now

[locky801]

I’m ok if we end the season now

Get the T shirts printed

[Brodlach]

I’m ok if we end the season now

Get the T shirts printed

“One in a row, One in a row”

[Jim05]

Good stuff to Bass and the Bloods

[Baytragic]

Nice work Bloods.

[southernbulldog]

2 -0 next week

[Frank Gallagher]

Flags' in the bag

[PatowalongaPirate]

The Bassett and Burgess era has started with an instant impact as West Adelaide held on for a gutsy seven-point win against Adelaide at Richmond Oval.

Playing for the first time under dual Norwood premiership coach Nathan Bassett and with last-minute signing Chris Burgess starring in his return to Milner Road, the Bloods secured just their second win against the Crows in their past 12 outings.

While Bassett has had an early influence in the coaching box, Burgess, who was delisted by the Crows in the off-season, was clearly the most influential player on the ground.

Originally signing with Paskeville on the Yorke Peninsula, Burgess opted to line up with the Bloods after being appointed the club’s full-time Football Manager last week.

And he made his presence felt against his former side with with five game-breaking goals before being a steady head in defence with the game on the line.

Westies led by as much as 38 points when Jesse Thackeray kicked truly in the 25th minute of the third quarter but Adelaide came home with a rush to get within a kick entering time-on of the final term.

But Burgess was swung into the backline by Bassett where he took a towering intercept mark in the 23rd minute as the Crows came charging forward.

Within 60 seconds, the 30-year old was at it again when he caught new Crows skipper Kieran Strachan holding the ball as the visitors threatened to steal victory.

West vice captain Kobe Ryan racked up 30 disposals, eight clearances and five tackles while Dylan White (28 disposals), Cade Kennedy (22 disposals) and Jonti Schuback (21 disposals) also started their campaigns well.

Bloods talls Hamish Ellem and Tom Scully kicked two goals each to send a warning bell that their forward structure will take some stopping in 2026.

Adelaide’s Billy Dowling pushed his claims for AFL selection with a match-high 37 disposals, seven clearances and six tackles while Blake Drury worked hard for 25 disposals and four goals.

Lachlan Sholl had 25 touches while Charlie Edwards was also prominent in the midfield with 23 disposals and five clearances.

Crows ruck Reilly O’Brien finished with 20 disposals, 10 marks, seven clearances and 32 hit outs to keep knocking on the door for a call up to the AFL.

by Zac Milbank.