TALKING POINTS: Rutten's final kick and Hayes' tackling record
1. Hayes leaves as greatest tackler
Sunday marked the end of St Kilda champion Lenny Hayes' career, after 297 senior games. The three-time All Australian, three-time St Kilda best and fairest and the 2010 Norm Smith Medalist needed eight tackles on Sunday to break former Sydney Swan Jude Bolton's career-record of 1490 tackles. He had six in the opening term, the record just minutes into the third term and finished with 13. A warrior and the heart and soul of St Kilda, Hayes will be missed at Moorabbin, but his legacy will be long-lived.
2. Truck's last stop
Ben Rutten began his career with three goals from his first three kicks and finished it on Sunday with a goal from his last. The man lovingly known at Adelaide as 'Truck' made a name for himself as one of the League's premier full-backs and gained All Australian selection in the position in 2005. He proved one of the club's most consistent and reliable players throughout his career and, after 229 AFL games, steps away to pursue a career in coaching.
As if the game needed another milestone to be celebrated, it was Adelaide's acting co-captain Rory Sloane's 100th match and the 24-year-old turned it on. One of the club's fan-favourites, Sloane collected 30 disposals and booted three goals in a best-on-ground display. Sloane has been one of his club's best in 2014, averaging 24 disposals and seven tackles a game in the lead up to Sunday's clash against the Saints.
4. Brilliant Betts fires again
Capping a sensational year – his first at West Lakes – Eddie Betts brought up his 50th goal for his new club in the third term. Betts joined the Crows from Carlton as a free agent last season amid criticism surrounding his reported four-year, $2 million deal. The 27-year-old has thrived in Adelaide's forward line, not only leading the club's goal kicking but also its goal assists too. He finished Sunday's game with an equal season-high five majors.
5. Brothers Crouch get their chance
The last time Adelaide fielded a pair of brothers was against St Kilda in round 22, 1996. The 69-point loss was Andrew Jarman's final AFL game, while brother Darren would go on to play vital roles in the club's 1997 and 1998 premierships. Crows fans have waited all season to see Brad and Matt Crouch line up together and were forced to wait a little longer with Matt named as the sub. He ran on just before three-quarter time and kicked a goal in the last.
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