1. Terrific Thompson
Veteran Adelaide midfielder Scott Thompson has had a lean year by his standards but was back to his best against the Demons. He was outstanding from the get-go with 22 possessions in the first half at an impressive 91% efficiency. He also kicked a great snap goal on the left foot after winning a hard ball which really kick-started the Crows in the second quarter. Thompson finished with 33 disposals, nine clearances and seven tackles in a best afield performance.
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2. Demon discipline
When you're a struggling football club you have to at least try and do the basics right, and that starts with discipline. Melbourne's was appalling. The Demons gave away 14 more free kicks, had an interchange infringement which cost them a goal and, worst of all, they gave away three 50-metre penalties which all them goals. The first was from experienced defender Lynden Dunn who punched Andy Otten in the mid-riff just 15 metres from goal when the Crows had the ball outside 50, and then Tom McDonald trangressed twice. First he knocked the ball out of Lewis Johnston's hands after he took a mark and then in the last quarter he abused the umpire. These ill-disciplined acts would no doubt have had Neil Craig tearing his hair out.
3. Johncock's lap of honour
Crowd favourite Graham Johncock was farewelled in style with a lap of honour around AAMI Stadium before the game. He was given a standing ovation by the crowd and thoroughly deserved it after an outstanding career spanning 227 games. In a great show of sportsmanship, the soon-to-retire Aaron Davey waited for Johncock so he could personally congratulate him and shake hands.
4. Mexican wave
Such was the excitement in the last quarter - or maybe it was a lack of interest – that the crowd started a Mexican wave. Initially the attempt was a poor one but after a number of tries they finally got it going. The wave went around consistently for a good 10 minutes and in the midst of it even the punters on the Adelaide Oval hill during a test match would've been proud. Lewis Johnston must have enjoyed it. He kicked four goals in the last quarter to finish with six for the game.
5. AAMI Stadium farewell
AAMI Stadium is where it all started for the Adelaide Crows 23 years ago. Their first AFL game was against Hawthorn and the Crows handed the Hawks an 86-point hiding. There was little surprise that they ended with a win against Melbourne. In a nice piece of synergy, Adelaide's longest serving coach Neil Craig was there for Crows' final game at AAMI but this time as Melbourne's coach. 34,653 fans turned up to commemorate the occasion. In all, the Crows played 280 games at the ground, winning 180 of them. That's a winning percentage of 64 per cent. Lots of memories will be left behind by the Crows but they're no doubt excited by the move to Adelaide Oval next year.
