The concept is simple, get to the front of the contest and more often than not the ball will go there.
With the game in the balance and the Crows needing to attack, North's Andrew Swallow was able to find space time after time and execute a simple skill to great effect.
After the Crows’ Rory Laird suffered a concussion, the game was essentially reset with 2:29 to go.
The Kangaroos led by seven points, with Adelaide was throwing everything at the home side. It would take something special to hold for victory.
It started from the first throw in after the resumption. Swallow keeps his eyes on the contest at all times, and his opponent Brodie Martin looks away for just a split second. It is all the captain needs to grab the Sherrin and lock it in.
From the secondary stoppage, Swallow’s ability to read the play comes in handy. At various stages after the ball up, it appeared that any of Sam Jacobs, Rory Sloane or Patrick Dangerfield was in prime position to put Adelaide inside 50.
But the captain takes the quickest line to the footy, winning possession and momentarily clearing any danger. As the below gif shows, Swallow comes from a long way back.
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About a minute later, another throw-in occurs 50 metres out from Adelaide’s goal. Any Crows' score would put them within striking distance.
By this time it was clear that Swallow had licence to win his own ball, and again he finds plenty of space. Winning another crucial clearance from a dangerous position, he gets the ball to the wing, where Drew Petrie gets it across the boundary line.
After another stoppage where Swallow gets first hands to the ball, he’s quickly tied up by a group of Crows to force a ball-up on the wing.
From the secondary stoppage, Adelaide gains territory to force a throw-in on its forward 50. It’s in much the same position as a a minute earlier, and it’s here where the captain wins arguably the most important clearance of the day.
With just 40 seconds remaining, Adelaide simply has to win the ball and score. Somehow, Swallow finds himself all alone.
Todd Goldstein does the work from the ruck contest, tapping it to the captain; he clears and seals the game for his side.
Although the game was decided by the time there was a throw-in on the wing with 28 seconds remaining, Swallow’s first possession from the stoppage was arguably the most impressive of the lot.
The Crows’ Scott Thompson had inside position and legally blocked Swallow from the contest. Yet he somehow won the ball from this position.
The ball eventually fell out to Ben Cunnington. He handballed to Levi Greenwood, who kicked inside 50 to extinguish any thought of an Adelaide miracle comeback.
If ever there was a time for the skipper to stand up, this was it, and he delivered in spades.
