Stand-in spearhead Tom Lynch booted a remarkable 10 goals as Adelaide crushed an error-strewn Greater Western Sydney by 135 points in Sunday’s AFL clash at Showground Stadium.
Lynch starred in the absence of full-forward Taylor Walker, putting on a clinic in front of the goalposts as the Crows cantered to a 29.13 (187) to 7.10 (52) win.
The 22-year-old booted six goals in the third quarter and had nine majors on the scoreboard before he blotted his scorecard with a behind after the three-quarter time siren.
In the final quarter, Lynch dobbed through his 10th. Only Scott Hodges and Tony Modra have ever accomplished such a feat for Adelaide.
It was the greatest haul by a Crow since Modra kicked 13 against Carlton in round one of 1994.
GWS’s Aidan Corr, Sam Reid, Josh Bruce, Tim Mohr and Adam Kennedy all spent time on the former St Kilda forward flanker. None could stop his momentum.
But any proclamations of the Crows having found a long-term replacement for Walker, who sustained a season-ending knee injury 15 days ago, should be put in context.
This was a game that at times resembled a training drill.
GWS got within 12 points early in the second quarter before the Crows showed their class, none more so than the indomitable Patrick Dangerfield.
The visitors poured on seven straight goals to take a 55-point lead at halftime, moving the ball superbly from end to end as they punished GWS for their turnovers – which came far too often.
Rhys Palmer was moved onto Dangerfield in the third term, and was reported for some rough treatment of the Crows superstar.
Dangerfield was temporarily felled, but simply dusted himself off and continued the rot.
He kicked four goals himself and was responsible for some of the brilliant pinpoint passes that found the chest of Lynch.
To put the redhead’s breakout game in perspective, Lynch had managed just 13 goals from 15 games prior to Sunday.
Josh Jenkins also had four goals for Adelaide, who had 10 players tally 20 possessions or more.
A disappointing crowd of 5,830 turned up for the fixture, GWS’s first clash this year at their Sydney Olympic park home.
Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals for GWS, who substituted Dean Brogan out of the game with a suspect back injury in the third term.
Co-captain Callan Ward (22 disposals) battled gamely for the Giants, who leaked 18 goals in the second half and looked a different team from the one that held their own against Essendon last Saturday.