Crow onslaught has scribes reaching for record books
This game always had potential to see a cricket score kicked. And so it was, as Adelaide’s powerful attack made a mess of the disappointing Lions. The Crows warmed up in the opening half with 14 majors as their forwards queued up against a Lions midfield unwilling, or unable, to help its outclassed defence. As bad as the visitors were, Adelaide’s foot skills, ball movement and talent up forward was simply awesome, and they banged through eight third-term goals. With 22.13 on the board at three-quarter time, their Club record score of 30.8 (188) against Essendon in 2006 was under threat. They narrowly missed that score, and the final margin of 138 points came within a behind of a club-record winning margin, achieved all the way back in 1993 against Richmond.

Full match report

Crows' list runs deep
As recently as a month ago, Adelaide had used just 27 players this season. Its charmed run with injuries meant spots in the side were at a premium. In the past few weeks the Crows have suffered some minor injuries, and copped another on Saturday when Paul Seedsman suffered a corked buttock. They also managed Scott Thompson through this match, opening up opportunities for others. Cam Ellis-Yolmen looked too good to be playing SANFL as he made his season debut and finished with 18 disposals, and two goals from five shots. Mitch Grigg, Curtly Hampton, Troy Menzel and Dean Gore are others all playing good footy at State League level at present.

O’Brien’s dream debut
Young ruckman Reilly O’Brien is another Crow who had been banging down the door at SANFL level all season, and he finally got his opportunity against the Lions on Saturday night. The crowd got behind the 20-year-old debutant whenever he got near the ball, and almost erupted when he found himself in clear space inside forward 50 during the opening term only to see his shot sail wide. But O’Brien earned another opportunity after a strong mark late in the third term, and this time he made no mistake. Teammates came from all corners of the ground to celebrate the ruckman’s first AFL goal and cap off a night the young Crow will never forget.

Lions' problems stretch beyond talent
The Lions' decision to persist with youth in the second half of this season has affected their disastrous results. But the structural holes in Justin Leppitsch’s game plan were again exposed by a rampant Adelaide intent on a scoring rampage. John Worsfold has been criticised for coaching to minimise the damage at Essendon this year but the opposite criticism could be fired at Leppitsch. The Lions midfield seemingly had no interest in helping their defence as Adelaide piled on goal after goal, and Leppitsch allowed his undermanned backs to go one-on-one with a star-studded Adelaide forward line. Leppitsch's men appear to be trying to implement a game style beyond their collective ability, and players are losing confidence and belief.

Crows spread the load up forward
Adelaide was brutally efficient going forward, but as has so often been the case this season, there was no single player who stood out with a big bag of goals. Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts and Tom Lynch all kicked four goals each, Josh Jenkins chimed in with three, while Rory Sloane and Cam Ellis-Yolmen both had two apiece. Another eight Crows hit the scoreboard, including defender Luke Brown, who dobbed a brilliant set shot for just his sixth career goal. Adelaide’s spread of goalscoring power remains a great strength for the Crows as they build towards September.