1. Lacklustre losses in the past as the Crows roar back to form
It was easy to dismiss last weekend's thumping of the lowly Brisbane Lions, but the Crows made a statement they have put their forgettable fortnight to bed. Those shock losses to North Melbourne and Melbourne have been consigned to the history book, with the Crows re-instating themselves as genuine premiership contenders. The 100-point margin against the Dockers should have been so much more if the Crows kicked straight. They had 43 scoring shots to 13, 435 disposals to 332 and 72 inside 50s to 40, including an incredible 19 straight in the first quarter. The Dockers had won six of their past seven games to charge into the top eight and were expected to pose a serious threat. But the Crows reigned supreme from the outset and didn't let the Dockers into the contest at any opportunity.
2. Lyon's milestone game turns into horror show
Dockers coach Ross Lyon had a night to forget in his 250th game as an AFL coach. It's the first time Lyon has suffered a loss of 100 points or more in his career. Lyon moved the pieces around to try and stem the bleeding, but the Crows were able to find a way to succeed every time. Rory Sloane shook off the tag of Connor Blakely and was able to exert his influence around the ground. Lyon threw Garrick Ibbotson as the loose man in defence, but the Crows had too many numbers running through the middle and continued to kick goals with ease. The Dockers won six of their past seven games, but now have a lot of work to do ahead of next Sunday's clash with Collingwood in Perth.
Fyfe guides a massive roost from the centre square home. #AFLCrowsFreo pic.twitter.com/nDNaszM8xK
— AFL (@AFL) May 27, 2017
3. Sensational siblings take control in the midfield
The Crouch brothers brought their own footy to Adelaide Oval with an impressive double act by the Crows' midfield duo. Matt Crouch will be suffering from a severe case of leather poisoning after picking up 35 possessions, with 26 of those in the first half when the match was up for grabs. Older brother Brad wasn't far behind with 30 as the siblings worked tirelessly in tight and extracted the ball out of stoppages. Rory Sloane was excellent for the second week in a row, bouncing back after a quiet couple of weeks in the Crows' losses to North Melbourne and Melbourne.
4. Ultimate utility continues to shine in attack
Up forward, down back – it doesn't matter for the Crows' Mr-Fix-It Andy Otten. Starting his career as a defender, Otten is having a brilliant career change as a dangerous key forward. Otten was outstanding with his ability to grab contested marks on his way to booting a career-high four goals. Even with Josh Jenkins returning to the side, Otten has found his niche as the third tall while Mitch McGovern is sidelined with his injured hamstring. It's going to be hard to force Otten out of the team for the rest of the season.
5. Betts and co rise to the Indigenous round occasion
Adelaide's Indigenous stars made an impact during Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, with Eddie Betts, Wayne Milera and Charlie Cameron kicking three goals each. After a quiet first half, Betts booted two goals in the opening 90 seconds of the third quarter. While he didn't produce a goal of the year contender, as he did in the corresponding game in the past two years, Betts gave the Dockers' defenders plenty of headaches and made some outrageous attempts for mark of the year. Betts got plenty of support. Milera's first two kicks resulted in goals while Cameron was also dangerous whenever he was in clear space inside the forward 50. The Dockers fielded a record eight Indigenous players on Saturday night.
Eddie Betts puts his stamp on the game. #AFLCrowsFreo pic.twitter.com/4QsoMmWhSy
— AFL (@AFL) May 27, 2017