1. Slip-up or correct call on sliding rule?
Adelaide will be demanding clarification on the sliding rule after a controversial decision in the second quarter. Daniel Talia and Lukas Webb were in a foot race for the ball and Talia slid to collect the ball in front of his Bulldog opponent, upending him in the process. The Bulldogs was awarded the free kick even the both players were travelling in the same direction and there appeared little risk of injury from the contact. Webb kicked the Bulldogs' first goal of the match from the free kick. A decision that went against the Bulldogs in the third quarter didn't add clarity either. Hayden Crozier came up wringing his hands after Bryce Gibbs kicked the ball off the ground but the Crows midfielder was awarded a shot on goal after he was brought down by his desperate opponent.
CROWS MASTER WET: Full match coverage and stats
2. Betts brilliant in Adelaide milestone
Adelaide supporters have been spoiled with Eddie Betts highlights since he crossed over from Carlton and in his 100th game for Adelaide he delivered again. As the rain tumbled down in the first quarter, the small forward swooped on a loose ball and kicked a left-foot, boundary-line goal from 50m. It was an amazing effort given how difficult the ball was to handle in slippery conditions. In the third quarter he led, marked and kicked truly from the boundary line to double his tally. Two final quarter goals were the icing on the cake. The 31-year-old has now kicked 256 goals at an average of 2.5 a game with Adelaide - he averaged 1.5 goals per game in 184 appearances with the Blues.
3. Crows pass depth test
Adelaide continues to thumb its nose at the injury curse at West Lakes by winning against the odds. The loss of captain Taylor Walker, Mitch McGovern, Matt Crouch and Luke Brown from had no impact on their desperation and method. Inclusions Darcy Fogarty and Lachlan Murphy kicked goals while Sam Gibson was serviceable in his first game for the club. Quick goals in the first, third and fourth quarters were a sign the home side was switched on and focused. Eddie Betts goaled in the second minute of the game, Myles Poholke sent through a wobbler in the third minute of the third while Josh Jenkins' goal 25 seconds into the fourth gave Adelaide a match-winning lead. Adelaide is missing nine first-choice players but with a 6-3 record will be tough to beat when it is fully fit.
4. Unwanted record for Dogs
For only the second time in the club's 1925-game history, the Bulldogs have failed to kick three goals in a game. The only other time was against Geelong in round 12, 1965 when they managed just 1.8 (14). Friday night's score of 2.14 (26) was also their equal ninth lowest in their history. While the low score was a surprise, the loss wasn't given their recent history on the road. The Dogs' last win against Adelaide was in round 19, 2010. And they have played eight Friday night matches interstate since 1988 and lost them all. The match was also a reality check for their 2018 campaign. They had won their previous three, but they were against Carlton, Gold Coast and Brisbane. With four wins after nine rounds it seems unlikely the Dogs will challenge for the finals.
5. Impressive work rate in the wet
The slippery conditions in the first half made it difficult for these free-flowing and efficient sides to showcase their strengths but they both were in for the fight at ground level. Both teams had more than 60 tackles before half-time and smashed through the 100-tackle mark before the final siren. Adelaide's next best effort is 79 tackles against the Saints in round three while the Dogs eclipsed their 80 tackles against the Gold Coast in round seven. Jack Macrae had a game-high 13 tackles, Hugh Greenwood led the count for Adelaide with 11.
