1. Crouch impresses in comeback
Matt Crouch has been on the sidelines since injuring his hamstring against Richmond in Round 2, but despite missing three matches, there was no holding back for the Crows’ 2017 club champion. The 22-year-old managed a staggering 54 disposals in the first five quarters of Adelaide’s season and he didn’t disappoint in his comeback. He had 21 disposals to half-time and finished with 30 and a goal after running out of puff after the long break. Crouch is an important inclusion as Rory Sloane rests a foot injury.
FULL MATCH DETAILS: All the stats and stories
Matt Crouch was right in the thick of the action again. Picture: AFL Photos
2. Lynch v Lynch
It helps to be part of the winning side on every occasion, but the Crows’ Tom Lynch has again upstaged his namesake at the Adelaide Oval. He kicked three opportunist goals from close range and was a lively performer in the forward 50. It’s a welcome tally for the 27-year-old who failed to kick a major in his first three matches of the season. In contrast, the Suns’ Lynch was hassled by his opponents early and failed to have a significant impact. He also gave away two 50-metre penalties.
WATCH: Only one Tom Lynch hit the scoreboard
3. Reality check for Suns
Heading into Saturday night’s match at Adelaide Oval, Gold Coast was only percentage behind 4th spot. It’s been a promising start under coach Stuart Dew but two of their victories have come against cellar-dwellers Carlton and Brisbane while they beat the Kangaroos in slushy conditions in Round 1. After losing to Fremantle and West Coast in Perth and now the Crows in Adelaide it appears there’s a clear gap between them and the top sides.
WATCH: Richard Douglas kicks his third
4. Hamstring saves Suns from Tex haul
Gold Coast has had no answer to the Crows captain over the years. Walker has now kicked 29.12 in eight matches with three five-goal efforts. He had 2.2 before sitting out the second half with what the club described as hamstring “awareness”. It’s not happy reading for Steven May and the other Suns defenders, but to be fair they’ve been confronted by an Adelaide blitzkrieg in every encounter. The hamstring strain comes just as Walker was building momentum and could rob Adelaide of an attacking option in Round 7.
Taylor Walker didn't look too upset after the match. Picture: AFL Photos
5. Promising return for Barlow
Gold Coast veteran Michael Barlow has knocked the door down with two dominant performances in the NEAFL in which he averaged 41 disposals. Barlow considered pulling the pin on his career after breaking his left leg for a second time last June. It was tough going for the entire Suns line-up, but he warmed to the task in the second half, finishing with 23 possessions at 87 per cent efficiency and a goal.
