Source :- THE AGE NEWS
The Crows started like a house on fire as Izak Rankine shone in his return to the side but Jacob van Rooyen’s three goals for the term helped his side regain the lead and head into the first change ahead.
The Dees are leading despite their superstar Kysaiah Pickett playing a very minor role this term.
Jacob van Rooyen is blazing hot and so is his side.
The Dees found their big forward on the lead and despite being on a challenging ankle, he went back from 52 metres out and booted the goal.
That’s three majors and the Crows need some answers.
Dees 30, Crows 21 with three mins to go in Q1.
Matthew Jefferson chased down a loose footy and kicked an open goal.
Moments later, the Dees forced a turnover at their end of the ground and van Rooyen booted a goal on the run.
He’s been stellar this term with two goals.
Dees 24, Crows 21 with four mins to go in Q1.
Rankine is making a big impact on this term sending a classy stab pass to Rachele, who marked low on the lead and then kicked the goal.
Meanwhile, Kysaiah Pickett hasn’t had a clean disposal yet as the Dees struggle to find him – he’s been closely defended.
Crows 21, Dees 12 with six mins to Q1.
Melbourne key forward Jacob van Rooyen continues to flourish this season.
He’s made some strong contests early and has snapped a goal from a tight angle.
The Dees’ pressure is strong early, but the Crows are still ahead.
Crows 14, Dees 12 with eight mins to go in Q1.
Crows fans broke into applause for Tony Modra in the sixth minute of the first term as he continues his recovery from a life-threatening truck accident.
The man known as “Godra” wore No.6, which is currently worn by Crows midfielder Daniel Curtin.
A large banner that read “Godra” was unfurled as well.
Pre-game, Crows coach Matthew Nicks, another friend of Modra’s, spoke about how the team had dealt with the situation.
Dees wingman Harvey Langford has snapped a cracking goal on his left foot. Max Gawn’s tap set the Demons forward.
Both teams are firing away and tackling strongly too; should be a super clash as expected.
Dees 6, Crows 6 with 16 mins to go in Q1.
It took all of 50 seconds for Adelaide to hit the scoreboard against Melbourne.
And there was something sentimental about the way it panned out. Izak Rankine collected the opening centre clearance against Kozzie Pickett – what a match-up that is – and pumped the ball into attack for the Crows, where the mark was taken by Taylor Walker.
With the thoughts of the Crows – and the AFL world – with the great Tony Modra, who is recovering in hospital from a serious truck accident, it could only be “Tex” with the ball in his hand.
Walker, who idolised Modra while growing up as an Adelaide supporter in Broken Hill, before later surpassing his hero as the Crows’ greatest goalkicker, kicked truly for the opening major.
A rousing round of applause rang around Adelaide Oval at the six-minute mark to commemorate Modra, whose No.6 remains the most popular and iconic jumper in Crows history.
