It appears to be a case of no Erin Phillips, no Adelaide Crows, with the reigning premiers being dismantled by a clinical Melbourne outfit on Saturday afternoon at Casey Fields.
After a disappointing performance last week against the Lions at home, the Crows again failed to match the class and strength of their opposition.
After dominating field position for majority of the hotly-contested first quarter, Melbourne hit the scoreboard first, with Aliesha Newman producing a goal-of-the-year contender.
Newman’s Lance Franklin-like run down the wing and check-side banana from the boundary to finish proved to be one of the Demons’ many highlights for the game.
But the Crows hit back straight away, after full forward Sarah Perkins set up Abbey Holmes in the goal square, bringing the Crows back to within two points at quarter-time.
The second term saw the Demons flex their muscles, with the likes of Daisy Pearce and Karen Paxman getting on top of the Crows through the midfield.
Although the Crows had the wind advantage, they simply couldn’t get their hands on the ball.
Melbourne were able to consistently get the ball out of congestion and give their forwards the best chance of scoring.
The height and speed of the Demon forward attack was similarly too much to handle for Adelaide.
Through the work of Tegan Cunningham, Lauren Pearce and Shelley Scott, the Dees were able to pile on four goals to one for the term, coming away with a 20-point lead at half-time.
With a 0-2 start to the season looming, the reigning premiers were expected to come out firing in the second half.
But it wasn’t to be, as Bec Goddard's girls were again outclassed in the third term, while Melbourne grew their lead even further.
With Melissa Hickey snapping a classy goal just seconds into the quarter, the Crows appeared to drop their heads as the class of the Demons continued to shine through.
A classy goal by young star Ruth Wallace from a forward line stoppage was all the resistance Adelaide could muster in the third term.
Inaccurate kicking in front of goal from the Demons was all that saved the Crows from an embarrassing three-quarter time deficit.
The result seemingly decided, the last quarter again saw Melbourne dominate, as a dejected Adelaide team affirmed the view that they simply can’t win without Erin Phillips.
Aliesha Newman would put the finishing touches on an inspired Melbourne performance as she again broke away from a pack of Adelaide players and scored another goal.
Adelaide again managed one last consolation with Jenna McCormick benefiting off Perkins’ efforts, resulting in an easy major from the goal square.
The Crows had too many passengers for the game, with Ebony Marinoff, Chelsea Randall, Dayna Cox and Sarah Allan providing the only resistance against the Demons’ onslaught.
Next week is a do-or-die clash for the Crows as they look to face the in-form Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Demons meanwhile travel to Perth to take on the Dockers at Fremantle Oval.
MELBOURNE 1.1 5.2 7.4 8.8 (56) ADELAIDE 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 (24)
GOALS Melbourne: Cunningham 2, Newman 2, Scott, L.Pearce, Hickey, Cranston Adelaide: Holmes, Hewett, Wallace, McCormick
BEST
Melbourne: Paxman, Newman, Cunningham
Adelaide: Marinoff, Randall, S. Allen
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