ADELAIDE has finished off its season in style, smashing St Kilda to spoil Lenny Hayes’ final AFL match and deliver the Saints the wooden spoon.
The Crows, who were unable to force their way into the top eight after Richmond’s stunning upset of the Sydney Swans on Saturday, were dominant for most of the contest, winning 22.9 (141) to 9.8 (62) at Adelaide Oval.
Aside from an enterprising start, the main bright spot for the visitors was Hayes setting a new all-time tackling benchmark.
The retiring champion needed eight tackles to edge past former Sydney Swan Jude Bolton's record in his 297th and final game.
He overtook Bolton early in the third quarter and laid 13 tackles for a career tally of 1496, six more than the ex-Swan.
While Hayes claimed a milestone, Adelaide backman Ben Rutten could end his career with a suspension.
Rutten, playing his last game, felled Saint Adam Schneider with a right elbow to the head in a crude shepherd in the opening quarter.
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The Crows finished their season in 10th spot with 11 wins and 11 losses while the Saints, winners just four times, finish bottom for the first time since 2000.
While Richmond's upset win over the Sydney Swans on Saturday night ended Adelaide's finals hopes, coach Brenton Sanderson said the club's finishing position was fair.
"Eleven wins, 11 losses, just outside the eight probably reflects the year that we've had," Sanderson said.
"We haven't been able to win the close matches this year, our good looks OK but when we play poorly we play very poorly.
"Even in that third quarter today, St Kilda made us look like an average side."
After St Kilda kicked two of the initial three goals before a 44,969-strong crowd, Adelaide cracked the game open.
The Crows booted 11 of the next 12 goals en route to a resounding victory punctuated by a five-goal haul from livewire forward Eddie Betts.
Adelaide's acting captain Rory Sloane was best afield with three goals and 30 disposals in his 100th AFL match while Taylor Walker also potted three majors.
Their teammates Brodie Smith (33 touches), Sam Jacobs (50 hit-outs), Matthew Jaensch (27 possessions) and Patrick Dangerfield (25 disposals) were all prominent.
The Saints were overly reliant on midfielder Jack Stevens, who was their standout with 30 disposals.
Hayes gathered 21 disposals, while fellow onballer David Armitage was the visitor's only multiple goalkicker with two majors. Defender Sam Fisher (28 possessions) battled gamely to try and stem Adelaide's scoring tide.
Despite the loss securing St Kilda the wooden spoon, coach Alan Richardson said he had loved his first season as senior coach.
He promised significant list changes but said helping his players achieve their goals was immensely satisfying.
"I absolutely love it, I love the opportunity to work with young blokes and see them try and fulfil their dream," Richardson said.
"To be in a position to be able to facilitate all that growth has just been incredibly rewarding.
"It looks from the outside that it's been a real battle … but a coach is about trying to get the best out of people and I love it."
Lenny Hayes and Ben Rutten shake hands before leaving the field for the final time. Picture: AFL Media
ADELAIDE 4.2 4.10 15.5 22.9 (141)
ST KILDA 2.2 7.5 8.7 9.8 (62)
GOALS
Adelaide: Betts 5, Sloane 3, Walker 3, Lyons 2, Kerridge 2, Podsiadly, Mackay, Douglas, M Crouch, Smith, Dangerfield, Rutten
St Kilda: Armitage 2, White, Ray, Schneider, Murdoch, Stanley, Jones, Montagna
BEST
Adelaide: Sloane, Jacobs, Smith, Betts, Talia, Dangerfield
St Kilda: Fisher, Steven, Dempster, Montagna, Hayes, Jones
INJURIES
Adelaide: Martin (ankle)
St Kilda: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: David Mackay replaced by Mitch Grigg in the third quarter
St Kilda: Billy Longer replaced by Brodie Murdoch at half-time
Reports:
Adelaide: Nil
St Kilda: Nil
Umpires: Fleer, Farmer, Armstrong
Official crowd: 44,969 at Adelaide Oval
