1. Port lift for the occassion
In the lead up to a Showdown that loomed a bloodbath in favour of the Crows, Power coach Ken Hinkley declared: “I am a punter and roughies get up”. Adelaide was red hot favourites to rub a fist full of salt into Port’s 2016 wound and take top spot on the ladder in the process. But after weathering the Crows’ onslaught in the second term the Power kicked six third-quarter goals to trail by just a point at the final break - during which Hinkley addressed his group in front of the club’s faithful in the forward pocket. They didn’t get the win - but the Power’s intensity was at the level required to move forward in 2017.
2. Crows miss shot at the top
A 10-goal win on Saturday night would have been enough to push Adelaide to the top of the AFL ladder, and while the 15-point victory draws it level with the Sydney Swans, the Crows’ percentage means they will enter the final game of the premiership season in second spot. A 60-point win is always a big ask but the Crows had plenty of opportunity to bury Port early, which would have likely changed the way the second half played out. In the second term they won inside 50s 22-6, but were able to kick just 3.9.
3. Betts’ best yet
It was a significant milestone for Eddie Betts on Saturday night - 250 senior games is a hell of a lot of football however you look at it. Miraculously though, Betts’ footy has only gotten better with age. The 29-year-old has compiled three stunning seasons at Adelaide since crossing from Carlton at the end of 2013 - but 2016 has been his best. Betts booted 51 goals in 2014, 63 last year and his five goals on Saturday night took him to 65. All Australian last year, Betts is a lock for back-to-back representation and looks set to eventually end his career as one of the best small forwards the game has seen.
GAME BREAKER: Betts weaves milestone magic
4. Smith’s head hit gives Crows a scare
Brodie Smith’s night was over early in the second term when he was accidentally hit in the head while falling out of a marking contest. Aaron Young’s boot made contact with Smith’s head, jolting it forward. He was able to sit up and consider what had happened but medical staff quickly stabilised him and he was stretchered off with what the club later confirmed was a concussion. Smith suffered two concussions last season, the second of which sidelined him for two games. As one of the club’s premier ball-movers, Adelaide would be hoping his latest head injury is minor and he recovers quickly.
5. Sloane danger?
Adelaide star and Brownlow medal fancy Rory Sloane flew in late to spoil a marking attempt by Brad Ebert, but was only able to clumsily punch Ebert in the face. The contact left the Power hard nut with a small cut on his cheekbone and he remained on the sidelines for some time. The umpire awarded Port a 50m penalty and Jimmy Toumpas slotted the goal - which is where the Crows will be hoping the penalty for Sloane’s action will finish. The incident fired up the Power and gave the side a sniff as three-quarter time approached, but it’s unlikely there was enough to warrant serious inspection by the Match Review Panel.
