1. Midfield depth on display

With Brad Crouch (abdominal strain) and Bryce Gibbs (back spasm) both absent from Saturday’s morning’s intraclub, some of Adelaide’s emerging talent were provided with an opportunity in the engine room. 

Rookies Jackson Edwards and Patrick Wilson didn’t look out of place when rotating through, while Jordan Gallucci, Cam Ellis-Yolmen and the returning Hugh Greenwood were all impactful around the contest.

With Eddie Betts, Richard Douglas, Sam Gibson and Rory Laird also spending time in the middle and leaders Matt Crouch and Rory Sloane thrown into the mix, coach Don Pyke looks to have plenty of tools at his disposal in 2018.

2. No backward steps taken

With Round One berths on the line, intensity throughout the intraclub remained at maximum levels. The game was stopped momentarily late in the final period after some friendly fire between defenders Andy Otten and Kyle Hartigan. Both players left the field, with blood coming from Otten’s head and Hartigan’s nursing a severely swollen left eye. 

“Some of the contest stuff was a step forward from last week. It was good to see a bit of claret in an internal trial. The doc will be in there stitching them up, but they’ll be fine,” assistant coach Scott Camporeale said.

“We were really pleased (with the intent). One trap in these is that guys just sort of get through and tick the box, but clearly there’s spots up for grabs for Round One so a lot of guys put their hand up.”

3. Fogarty happy to throw his weight around

One player who attacked both the football and the man with ferocity was last year’s first-round draft selection Darcy Fogarty. Camporeale described the South Australian as having ‘a bit of that old-school mongrel in him’, and it was evident every time the Sherrin was nearby. 

Hugh Greenwood was on the receiving end of a solid bump from the 94kg-listed draftee and came off second best. 

“Darcy tried to flatten me today,” Greenwood joked post-game. 

“He’s a big boy for an 18-year-old. I don’t know what he’s been eating down in the country, but he’s a big boy.”

4. Betts' brilliant best

The three-time All Australian looks set for another big season in 2018, showing plenty of his best in a role involving time both up forward and in the midfield.

Betts claimed both the mark and goal of the day in a five-minute stretch in the fourth period, with his dribble kick from deep in the forward pocket showing the 31-year-old has lost absolutely none of his class.

Happy to be back out there today, @eddiebthe3rd? 😁 #weflyasone

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5. Tex still leading from the sidelines

While the Crows captain couldn't take to the field due to a plantar fascia strain, Walker was still providing plenty of direction to his teammates from the other side of the boundary line on Saturday.

On a stationary bike on the eastern side of Football Park, 'Tex' showed just why he was re-elected as skipper for 2018, encouraging his teammates and pulling players back into structure whenever he felt the need to.