AN IMPRESSIVE Adelaide bounced back from a shock loss to the previously winless Richmond last week to knock off fellow finals hopeful West Coast by 17 points on the weekend. The Crows took control for the most part to lead by 36 points midway through the last term before the Eagle booted three late majors to make the final margin more respectable.

Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke said he was “overall very happy” and that they had played “pretty good” for three and a half quarters.

“In the second there was a couple of desperate saves which helped us and obviously made the margin relatively comfortable,” he said. “A little disappointing to let a couple in, but it was more probably more reflective of the game in terms of them getting those couple back.”

The Crows had 20 more inside 50s and controlled the ball far greater than against the Tigers last week, with Adelaide taking 35 marks to half-time – the same number as for the entire game against Richmond. While not a specific focus during the week, Clarke said his side always wanted to play with composure and efficiency.

“I thought last week our defence was a bit off in terms of we allowed Richmond marched the ball back on us, whereas this week we just pressed the game a little bit better and more effectively and therefore you get some repeat entries which is how you end up with those differentials,” Clarke said.

“It was more around our defence and the stoppage number went our way as well, centre bounce clearance was pretty significant.”

Adelaide looked like a side on a mission after a rare disappointing performance last week. Clarke said he was pleased with getting the four points which will go a long way to helping the Crows qualify for finals.

“Generally speaking over my tenure there’s that ability to respond. You’re not going to play your best footy every week, but the ability to come back and compete really strongly and to get a really important outcome for us was really significant for us,” he said.

West Coast coach Daisy Pearce said she was “proud” of her group’s fight to the end, but it was “disappointing” to concede such a large deficit.

“I think the gap was how committed and clean they were in the contest early, just the amount of times that 50/50 balls there to be won they were first, they were clean when they got there and able to take the ball forward and win territory,” Pearce said.

“Then probably fundamentals as well. I think some missed opportunities, disconnecting on offence when we turned the ball over, but also giving them a couple back the other way with a few skill errors.”