Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker is expected to miss 6-10 weeks after straining the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the first quarter against Carlton.
Taylor Walker is helped from the ground. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun
Taylor Walker sits on the bench after injuring his knee against Carlton. Source: Getty Images
SUDDENLY, the conversation about Carlton has changed.
No longer are we focused on what the club lacks at centre half-forward.
When you pull out the switchblade like the Blues did last night, maybe having the big name tall in attack doesn't matter.
Not when you are as quick and slick and get a rush of early goals from your classy midfielders like they did in the 32-point win over Adelaide at the MCG.
After trailing by 41 points at three-quarter time, the Crows fought their way back kicking four straight goals to get back within 18.
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But another piece of boundary line magic from Chris Yarran, brushing off Brent Reilly and then curling in his third goal, stopped the charge. Jeff Garlett then snapped the sealer, which was his third, from almost an identical spot.
For the Crows, the night began on a disastrous note when spearhead Taylor Walker hyperextended his right knee in a marking contest in the 18th minute of the first quarter and had to be helped off the MCG.
It is believed Walker may have sustained a posterior cruciate ligament rupture.
Defender Luke Brown's night was also over in the second term after suffering concussion, leaving the Crows a man short on the bench for most of the night.
After losing Kurt Tippett, and now Walker for what looks like an extended period, Adelaide's finals hopes are starting to look rather shaky.
The Blues, on the other hand, are looking at getting their season back on an even keel at 3-3 next weekend against Melbourne.
After a big statement win over West Coast last week, things have clicked under Mick Malthouse.
Although they hardly took a mark in the forward 50m in the first half, and faded late, the Blues' ball use and leg-speed through the middle was a warning for the rest of the competition.
Heath Scotland and Andrew Walker were outstanding, intercepting the ball and rebounding from half-back.
Bryce Gibbs also controlled the play before he was substituted off with hamstring tightness at halftime.
The quick transition forward routinely found Yarran, Garlett and Eddie Betts with space to burn off their minders. They posed a continual threat, breaking goal-side of the stoppages and aerial contests.
While the Crows worked their way back into the contest, Carlton looked invincible at times with that run and carry and crushing pressure, up by 28 points at quarter time.
Adelaide Crows forward Taylor Walker being helped off the MCG by trainers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun
The move to switch Walker into defence has worked wonderfully. The former high-flying forward was largely untouched by the opposition, racking up 19 touches until half-time. Each one hit their target.
Scotland was also excellent, driving the ball from half-back and kicking a tight-angled shot on the run from the boundary in the third term.
Chris Judd, in his 244th game, needed a tag from Crow Sam Kerridge to quell his enormous early influence around the stoppages.
Betts was subbed on in the third term, replacing Gibbs. His first goal of the nigh brought chants of "Edd-die, Edd-die, Edd-die" from the Blues' faithful. Betts, Yarran and Garlett booted eight goals between them.
Adelaide was the No.1 contested ball side last year, but its midfield is not the same. Carlton ruckman Robert Warnock has taken his chance in the absence of Matthew Kreuzer, shading Sam Jacobs.
The Crow's early-season form has been patchy. Likewise, onballer Scott Thompson was down again early.
The Blues had 12 more clearances and 35 more contested possessions at three-quarter time, before the Crows turned the momentum their way in the last quarter.
Andy Otten presented forward after Walker exited the field, but Josh Jenkins was well-held by Michael Jamison. Crows' midfielders Patrick Dangerfield, Richard Douglas, Rory Sloane and youngster Rory Laird helped engineer the fightback, with limited bench rotations.
Laird's tough attack on the ball was a highlight for the Crows, in his second game. Matthew Jaensch and Otten each kicked three goals.
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