1. Explosive Demons stun Crows
The Crows led by as much as 20 points in the second quarter but there were signs in the first half the Demons were coming. A fortuitous goal from Jake Melksham gave them the lead for the first time at the six-minute mark of the third quarter. But it was a devastating wave of brilliance – five goals in 14 minutes – that maimed the Crows. The visitors had 16 clearances to six in the third term and 18 inside 50s to seven with most coming late in the term. A normally composed Adelaide defence looked panicky and out of its depth given the speed in which the ball was coming in during this purple patch. A fourth-quarter challenge by the Crows brought back memories of last week’s heartbreaking defeat but this time they got the job done.
2. Crows' season on thin ice
The Crows are no longer in control of their own destiny with Don Pyke's team needing to win their remaining four games and hope other results go their way in the next month. Expect a dissection of the third quarter to dominate the club's review because that was the major difference between the two sides. Despite the result on Saturday night, the Crows still should finish the season strongly. They have their leaders on the park and they'll be desperate to move up the ladder rather than plan for the future.
3. Milestone man celebrates in style
Jordan Lewis celebrated his 300th game with two near identical running goals from 50 metres out in the first and third quarters. In both instances the veteran was given some space thanks to creative handballs from his team-mates. It wasn't just his goals that helped with the Dees to victory, with his composure down back a highlight. He picked up 21 possessions in one of his better games of the season. He also wasn't the only Demon to find the target from outside the arc with Jake Melksham's long bomb showing that luck – as well as momentum – was on the Demons side in the third term. Melksham swooped on a loose ball and chucked it onto his right boot from 60 metres; the ball bouncing twice with a leg-break second bounce seeing it sneak in for a goal.
4. Crows fight to the end but wet weather hurts their chances
The Crows were left shell-shocked by the Demons' explosive third quarter but they didn't give up the fight. Unfortunately the rain came and made clean, fast footy a challenge. Jordan Gallucci and Eddie Betts gave them early hope and a late Taylor Walker goal set up a thrilling finale. But there were a couple of missed opportunities that proved costly in the end. Mitch McGovern couldn't handle a slippery ball in the goal square and in the same sequence Tom Lynch's high snap shot from only metres out only registered a point. And there were close-range posters from Hugh Greenwood and Eddie Betts in 10 scoring shots for the quarter.
5. Mixed results in tagging battle
Rory Sloane has hit the ground running since returning from a serious foot injury but the Crows vice-captain found the going tougher against James Harmes. The dangerous midfielder was restricted to 17 possessions at 29 per cent efficiency. Riley Knight has choir-boy looks but has been a handy agitator for Adelaide. Against the Cats he ruffled the feathers of Joel Selwood and early on he was getting on Clayton Oliver's nerves. It took him a while, but Oliver's class and hard work saw him break clear and have 31 disposals despite the unwanted attention from Knight.
