TALKING POINTS: Betts backs up his boundary-line special as Crows soar
1. Crows put on a stunning show in Showdown XXXVII
It was an enormous upset victory for Adelaide, one of the biggest in Showdown history. But the importance of the four points for the Crows' season cannot be understated. With North Melbourne, West Coast, Essendon and Gold Coast all losing this weekend, Adelaide gained valuable ground in the finals race. It now sits just one win out of the eight and could even move inside should it beat Greater Western Sydney next weekend and the Suns and Bombers lose to Collingwood and the Power. Adelaide's best will trouble any side and their season hinges on it producing consistently from now on.
2. Brilliant Betts
Port Adelaide mounted a late comeback on Sunday, immediately reviving memories of its incredible victory in round 19 last year. After back-to-back goals from the Power, it was Crow Eddie Betts who stepped up and sealed the deal for his side with another spectacular boundary-line goal. He was hard up against the boundary just inside the 50m, but made no mistake as the ball sailed through. Betts' set shot from a similar position just minutes later had the crowd hailing him and chanting his name after that split the middle as well.
3. White's need for speed
Matt White was recruited to Port from Richmond largely due to his explosive speed and it was on full show early against the Crows. He booted one of the great running goals in the first term, leaving two Adelaide defenders in his wake. White gathered the ball outside 50, put his head down and turned on the after burners before taking two bounces as he followed the boundary line towards goal. Crows Brent Reilly and Brodie Smith couldn't catch White, who stretched 'his full distance' and slammed home the goal.
4. Curse of the Alberton ankle
Jackson Trengove appeared in immediate trouble when he went down late in the second term and was unable put any weight through his right leg. He was promptly assisted from the ground in the arms of the trainers before emerging after the main break to warm up with his teammates. Trengove was subbed, joining teammates Travis Boak, Angus Monfries, Hamish Hartlett and Jared Polec as Port Adelaide players struck down with ankle injuries this season.
5. Millionth fan's lucky break
Sunday's game saw the redeveloped Adelaide Oval receive its one millionth spectator, Power supporter Jade Davison. Her luck was richly rewarded too, winning a four-person 2014-2015 pass to the Stadium Club, valued at more than $21,000. The return of football to the CBD in Adelaide has resulted in huge crowds so far this year; the Crows are yet to attract fewer than 44,000 fans to a home game in 2014. Sunday's crowd of 50,552 was the club's second 50,000-plus home crowd this year.