GF Edward

ADELAIDE has romped to its first Grand Final this century, demolishing Geelong by 61 points in Friday night's preliminary final at Adelaide Oval. The record crowd of 53,817 – the largest for an AFL game at the venue – was buzzing from start to finish as the Crows emphatically qualified for their first premiership decider since winning back-to-back premierships in 1997-98. Leading by 48 points early in the second quarter, the Crows withstood a 'Dangerwood'-inspired Cats fightback before running away with the game, 21.10 (136) to 10.15 (75). "The start was fantastic," Crows coach Don Pyke said. "Our ability to jump out of the blocks and really get pressure on the ball and win our share and hit the scoreboard pretty significantly early got the game flowing the right way. Every Crows player rated from the first preliminary final "We always expected they would come at some point and they were going to have their moments and we kept the scoreboard ticking over that allowed us to maintain that buffer." Lively forward Charlie Cameron was the hero with a career-high five-goal haul, providing the X-factor for the Crows in the absence of Mitch McGovern (hamstring), while key forward Josh Jenkins chimed in with four majors. Crows star Rory Sloane was involved in a heavy collision with Patrick Dangerfield (24 possessions, nine tackles, two goals) but he is expected to be free to take his place against either Richmond or Greater Western Sydney at the MCG next Saturday. The moment: Sloane hit stops Danger's Cats Dangerfield was seeing stars near the end of the second term as he lay motionless on the ground for several seconds before jogging off and playing out the rest of the game. All Australian defender Rory Laird (31 possessions, 15 marks) was outstanding in his 100th game, setting up play across half-back. Tom Lynch (20 possessions, seven marks, two goals) was pivotal across half-forward, Matt Crouch (31 possessions) and Brad Crouch (29 possessions) did the hard yards in the midfield and winger Paul Seedsman (19 possessions, two goals) continued his late-season resurgence. The ball movement of the Crows was outstanding. They went through the corridor at every opportunity, taking risks and playing an attacking brand of football. The Crows repeated their intense stance during the national anthem, every player with their arms by their side and eye-balling the Cats. It had the desired effect with the Crows blowing the Cats away with a brilliant six-goal-to-one first term. It was déjà vu for Geelong from 12 months earlier when they trailed Sydney 7.2 (44) to 0.5 (5) at quarter-time in the 2016 preliminary final. The Crows also showed no signs of rust after just two games in the past month. After just three disposals in the first quarter, Dangerfield – who started the game at full-forward – was influential in the midfield in the second term, having 12 touches and booting two goals. Selwood (34 possessions, 10 tackles) shook off the attentions of Adelaide tagger Riley Knight to find plenty of the ball. Holding a 35-point lead at half-time, the Crows regained their composure after the main break to put the Cats away. A spectacular grab from Cameron for his fourth goal of the night set the crowd alight. Steven Motlop's quality finish from tight in the right pocket gave the Cats a faint sniff heading into the last quarter. But Jenkins's second goal of the game in the early stages of the fourth term started an avalanche as the celebrations kicked off in style. It was the final game for retiring Cats duo Tom Lonergan and Andrew Mackie. "We've played some poor footy this year, but rarely has it been giving the ball back to the opposition and allowing them to score," Cats coach Chris Scott said. "So it was disappointing we chose tonight against a team that punishes you the most on turnovers to do it. "We butchered some chances which gave them some really good looks, and when they build that momentum, they're really hard to stop." MEDICAL ROOM Adelaide: The Crows reported a clean bill of health. Midfielder Hugh Greenwood only played about half the game and had just six possessions, but coach Don Pyke said he wasn't injured. Geelong: Midfielder Scott Selwood left the ground in the first quarter with an injury to his left hamstring. Selwood had his hamstring strapped and returned to the bench for the start of the second term. Dangerfield copped a huge hit from Sloane near the end of the second term. Dangerfield was motionless on the ground for several seconds before jogging off the ground. Dangerfield played the second half, but didn't have much of an impact. Joel Selwood appeared to injure his groin in the final quarter. ADELAIDE 6.3 11.7 14.10 21.10 (136) GEELONG 1.2 5.8 8.11 10.15 (75) GOALS Adelaide: Cameron 5, Jenkins 4, Walker 2, Betts 2, Lynch 2, Seedsman 2, Jacobs, Otten, M.Crouch, Knight Geelong: Dangerfield 2, Cockatoo, Duncan, Selwood, Lang, Hawkins, Motlop, Henderson, Menegola BEST Adelaide: Laird, Cameron, M.Crouch, Seedsman, B.Crouch, Talia Geelong: J.Selwood, Motlop, Taylor, Mackie, Dangerfield INJURIES Adelaide: Nil Geelong: S.Selwood (hamstring), Lonergan (corked quad), J.Selwood (groin) Reports: Nil Umpires: Rosebury, Stevic, Schmitt Official crowd: 53,817 at Adelaide Oval Source: Click

Peter Sagan of Slovakia is flanked by the silver medalist Alexander Kristoff of Norway, left, and the bronze winner Michael Matthews of Australia on the podium. Photograph: Ntb Scanpix/Reuters Peter Sagan won his third world title in a row in a dramatic finish to the men’s road race at the World Championships in Norway. The Slovakian had barely featured among the lead riders throughout the 267.5km race in Bergen. He was classified 80th approaching the final climb up Salmon Hill, but timed his ride to perfection as he held off the Norwegian Alexander Kristoff in a sprint finish to become the first man to win three consecutive world crowns. The Frenchman Tony Gallopin attempted to break clear 13km from home, but he was swallowed up at the foot of Salmon Hill. At the same time a crash accounted for several riders, before the Italian Gianni Moscon and France’s Julian Alaphilippe used the final climb to steal a march on the peloton. With 4.3km left Alaphilippe made what appeared to be a decisive burst, but he was eventually chased down. Sagan and Kristoff forced themselves to the head of the pack and crossed the finish line together with the 27-year-old winning by a hair’s breadth. “It was not easy, guys were changing in the front all the time,” Sagan told the BBC. “I tried to go with the breakaway and it came down to a sprint, it was unbelievable. “Kristoff was racing at home so I’m sorry, but of course I’m happy to win. [Three in a row] is something special for sure. For me it’s something very nice.” The Australian Michael Matthews took third place with the Italian Matteo Trentin fourth and a surprise fifth place for Britain’s Ben Swift. The 29-year-old from Rotherham said: “Sagan was incredible, I think all of us were trying a couple of moves because it was all over the place, but he did amazing. The team was brilliant today, we set out what we wanted to do and everyone rode brilliantly.” Source: Click

(Crows star Eddie Betts celebrates a goal during the qualifying final against Greater Western Sydney Giants at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images) CROWS superstar Eddie Betts says it was hard not to be impressed by Sydney’s elimination final win against Essendon and is expecting a thrilling contest when the Swans take on Geelong at the MCG Friday night. The winner will secure a their place in Friday week’s preliminary final against the Crows at Adelaide Oval, and Betts is hoping for a physical contest. “They’re flying at the moment Sydney,’’ Betts said. “It’s going to be a great game tonight, hopefully they bash each other up really hard.” Betts said Adelaide’s trip to the Gold Coast earlier this week was a good way of breaking up their lengthy wait between finals. “It was a good change up. We went up there and trained harder,’’ Betts told FiveAA. “It wasn’t a holiday. It was pretty solid.’’ Betts was one of the standouts in Adelaide’s qualifying final win over the GWS Giants, gathering 13 disposals — eight of which turned into scores — and finishing with 3.2. He also had eight disposals inside the Crows’ forward 50, highlighting Adelaide’s ability to maintain pressure inside its forward half. “Speaking with (GWS captain) Phil Davis, they thought our pressure was unbelievable which was great to hear because that’s what we focused on going into the game.’’ Source: Click

Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak is chased by Richard Douglas during Showdown 43. Picture: Sarah Reed PORT Adelaide captain Travis Boak is tipping in-town rival Adelaide as the team to beat for the AFL flag. And he suspects the looming Crows-Sydney preliminary final as the pointer to the flag. “The Crows are the best side in the competition — and have been for the majority of the year,” Boak said as the Power closed its end-of-season player reviews at Alberton on Wednesday. “Sydney are coming — they are playing good footy,” added Boak of the Swans, who play Geelong in a semi-final at the MCG on Friday. The winner of the Sydney-Cats knockout final advances to the preliminary final against the Crows on Friday week at Adelaide Oval. “They are the two front runners are the moment (Crows and Swans),” Boak said. Port Adelaide fell out of the race in a dramatic elimination final played to extra time against West Coast on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval. Eagles midfielder Luke Shuey’s goal after the siren — on a free kick — put the Power in seventh spot. Boak will not grade a return to AFL finals — after two seasons among the also-rans — as a pass mark. “We didn’t win the premiership, so it was a disappointing year,” Boak said. “Everyone wants to win the premiership.” Source: Click

Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) scored the 100th victory of his young but storied career, taking out the 2017 GP de Quebec with a powerful burst of speed in the final 50m. The world champion had a clean pair of wheels on second-placed Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing), with Michael Matthews (Sunweb) sliding in for third. It was a repeat win for Sagan, who triumphed here last year in similar circumstances over Van Avermaet. "It's like if you stamp the same results from last year," Sagan said. "The style of the race was very similar. The last kilometre, Rigoberto Urán attacked like always, and then went for the same in the last 100 meters." Urán's teammates tried to counter his move in the final 200m, attacking on the right side of the road. But the Sunweb lead-out man for Matthews swung into their path, forcing Tom-Jelte Slagter to come around the long way. Sagan kept his cool and waited until there was a clear path up the centre, then blasted up the road to victory. "It was hectic in the final. I decided I had to start at, I don't know, 100 metres, 150," Sagan said. "Thanks to my team. Bora-Hansgrohe did an amazing job. They were pulling all day at the front, and we were able to control the last three laps." When asked about taking the 100th win of his career, Sagan was pleased but philosophical. "100 is very nice. It's a nice number. But maybe it's better to live a hundred years," he said. "It's very nice but it's never enough. Once you're happy with something, you don't grow up, and we have to grow up always." Van Avermaet never looked to be in contention once Sagan went, and explained, "I lost Sagan's wheel a little when he went, and I couldn't have come past him, so I am pretty happy about my race. I would love to win here but second is not too bad." The Olympic champion has been building his form back after a hugely successful Spring Classics campaign and said he's happy with his form and feeling confident for his defense of the GP de Montreal title. "For me, the most important thing is that I still have a lot of power in my legs over the last kilometer and from there, whether you win or not, is all in the details. Today I was second, and hopefully, when we go to Montreal, I can repeat the same result as last year." How it unfolded The first leg of the week's pair of WorldTour one-days kicked off under cloudy skies in Quebec City, but the rain held off and the skies ultimately cleared to make for a sunny afternoon of racing on 16 trips around a lumpy 12.6-kilometre circuit. Pier-Andre Côté (Canada), Tyler Williams (Israel Cycling Academy), Tosh Van der Sande (Lotto Soudal) and Baptiste Planckaert (Katusha-Alpecin) formed the day's main breakaway, getting away from the pack on the first lap and rapidly working their way to a sizable advantage. With two and a half minutes in hand after completing the first lap, the quartet build their lead all the way up to nine and a half minutes by the fourth lap, at which point the peloton finally decided to match their pace. Brought down to around eight minutes, the gap hovered there or thereabouts for the better part of the next hundred kilometres with little change in the race situation until Côte began struggling and lost touch with the break with 70 kilometres to go. Back in the pack, several teams began showing more of a concerted interest in bringing things back together. Bahrain-Merida, Sky, Bora-Hansgrohe and BMC all made their presence felt at the head of affairs, and the gap to the three leaders started falling. At 50 kilometres to go, the advantage of the break was down to 5:30. 15 kilometres later the gap was at two and a half minutes and continuing to fall. Van der Sande and Planckaert dropped Williams in the 14th of 16 laps, pushing on as two. With Orica-Scott and Trek-Segafredo lending a hand in the chase, however, the gap was down under a minute inside the penultimate lap. As FDJ's Olivier Le Gac tried his luck off the front, Van der Sande called it a day in the escape. With Le Gac and Van der Sande reeled in, only Planckaert remained clear heading into the final lap of the race. He didn't hold out for long, with everything brought back together for the final lap. Successive attacks by Sean De Bie (Lotto Soudal), Kenny Elissonde (Sky) and Roman Kreuziger (Orica-Scott) all came up short with Sagan's Bora-Hansgrohe squad playing a big part in reeling in the moves. When Urán's familiar strike on the long uphill drag to the line on the Grande Allée was brought to heel, it came down to the sprinters, with Sagan timing his move to perfection for the repeat win. Source: Click

Britain’s Chris Froome billed the Vuelta a Espana as the most arduous test of his stellar career after he was officially crowned champion in Madrid on Sunday. Froome’s success, after a trio of runner-up finishes in Spain, saw him become the first rider since 1978 to win the Vuelta and Tour de France in the same year and only the third man ever to accomplish the feat. It took his tally of Grand Tour triumphs to five and means that he can join a select group of six riders to have won all three of cycling’s biggest events if he goes on to add the Giro d’Italia. “I’ve been trying for years and I’ve been second three times, so to win the Vuelta now is incredible,” he said. “I have to say it’s probably the toughest Grand Tour I’ve ridden. For me it certainly has been harder to win the Vuelta than the Tour. “Up until now my focus has been 100 per cent on the Tour de France and trying to survive the Vuelta, whereas this year the plan was to start the season later. “Maybe I wasn’t quite at my top, top for the Tour de France but it means I’ve been able to hold my form for longer and that has shown in this year’s Vuelta.” Triple triumph Froome’s maiden Vuelta win was effectively assured once he retained the leader’s red jersey on Saturday’s stage, with racing limited on the final instalment in the Spanish capital. The Team Sky leader also clinched the green jersey for winning the points contest, which he confirmed by finishing 11th in Madrid, and the white jersey for topping the combined classification. The 32-year-old seized the overall lead on stage three and stayed in red for the remaining 18 stages, a commanding display that echoed his front-running fourth Tour victory in July. Former winner Vincenzo Nibali finished second in the general classification, two minutes and 15 seconds behind Froome, with Russian Ilnur Zakarin a further 36 seconds adrift in third place. Italian Matteo Trentin landed his fourth stage win of this year’s race while the peloton allowed home favourite Alberto Contador to ride into Madrid alone on his cycling swansong. Source: Click

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