1. Adelaide shares the love
They came to Metricon Stadium raging hot favourites, and while the Crows didn't always play their best football, they walked away with four points and a big percentage boost. The disposals were about the same, but the Crows were just so much more slick. Any Suns turnover was punished with a ping-ping-ping of ball movement from one end of the field to the other. The result was a landslide inside 50 count of 71-35. Most pleasing for coach Don Pyke would be his spread of goalkickers, which tallied 13 – and didn't include Eddie Betts. The potent forward line of Taylor Walker (five goals), Mitch McGovern (three), Wayne Milera (three) and Tom Lynch (two) led the way, and even star fullback Daniel Talia found his way forward to bomb one home from 50m.

Full match coverage and stats 

2. Clinical Crows clearances
Adelaide was expected to dominate through the midfield and they did just that. With the Suns missing Gary Ablett among a host of others stars, the Crows took full advantage and at times walked the ball from the centre circle into goal with ease. Even when Sam Jacobs wasn't giving silver service – which was rare - Scott Thompson, Richard Douglas and co were there to shark it and get the Crows going forward. Midway through the second quarter they led the clearance count 21-7 to race to a match-winning 52-point lead. Jesse Lonergan and Dion Prestia helped narrow the final gap to 40-31, but the damage was done.

3. Can question the execution, but not Gold Coast's effort
Coach Rodney Eade was adamant his team worked its backside off despite losing by 91 points to GWS last week, but there could be no question today. The difference in class was obvious and the Crows ran Gold Coast off its legs. The inclusion of Michael Rischitelli helped, but vice-captain Dion Prestia (31 touches, five clearances) and Jesse Lonergan (27 touches, 18 contested and nine clearances) battled manfully in the midfield. Peter Wright continues to develop up forward and was arguably the Suns' best with 15 disposals, nine marks and three goals, while Sam Day was terrific in defence under an avalanche of ball.

Game breaker: Texan's five-star shootout

4. Eddie – the greatest mark that never was
If he pulled it off, there was no question Eddie Betts would have pocketed himself Mark of the Year, but alas, the diminutive Crows forward came down without the ball. Midway through the final term and with the game meandering to its inevitable conclusion, Betts seemingly sprung from a trampoline inside Adelaide's forward 50 to sit on Jack Martin's shoulders before coming down empty-handed. He flipped in mid-air and landed awkwardly, but thankfully was OK. So close, Eddie!

5. More injuries for the Suns
It's hard to believe, but the Suns picked up another two injuries with youngsters Darcy MacPherson and Callum Ah Chee. Third-gamer MacPherson was taken off in the second quarter with a medial ligament strain to his right knee and did not return. Ah Chee was knocked out in the third with concussion and also did not return. The Suns had 18 players on their injury list before the game and fielded just five senior-listed players in their NEAFL team on Saturday. There should be some relief in sight with next week, with suspended fullback Steven May to return and Gary Ablett, Rory Thompson, Aaron Hall, Touk Miller and Trent McKenzie all strongly favoured to join him.