For just the fourth time in Club history, Adelaide completed a Showdown ‘sweep’ by winning both clashes between the cross-town rivals in a single season. The Crows previously achieved the feat in 2005, 2007 and 2012.
Adelaide has now won the past three Showdowns, narrowing the overall ledger to 20 – 21 in the Power’s favour.
Adelaide climbed one spot into second on the AFL ladder following its 15-point Showdown win.
Showdown Medallist Matt Crouch was the leading possession-getter on the ground with 33. Crouch also took six marks, laid six tackles and won five clearances.
Adelaide had a low-possession match with Crouch the only player collecting in excess of 30 touches.
In his 250th AFL game, brilliant forward Eddie Betts kicked five goals to improve his personal tally to 24 goals in six Showdowns.
Betts, who is equal-third in the Coleman Medal race,has now kicked a career-high 65 goals with one minor round match and finals to come. It surpasses his previous best return of 63 goals last season.
The All Australian forward was also the No.1 ranked player for scoreboard impact according to Champion Data in Round 22. Betts and Matt Crouch were each involved in nine team scores.
It was only the second milestone match Betts has won following Carlton’s win over GWS in his 150th game in Round Six 2012. His 50, 100 and 200-game milestones were all losses.
Rory Sloane laid 10 tackles on Saturday night – the most of any player.
In doing so, Sloane broke his own record for most tackles by a Crow in a single season. He’s applied 151 tackles in 21 matches this season, surpassing his previous best of 147 in 22 matches in 2014.
The 2013 Crows Club Champion ranks equal-second in the AFL for tackles this season.
After an even first quarter, Adelaide dominated the inside 50m count 22 – 6 in the second term. However, the Crows were unable to capitalise, kicking an inaccurate 3.9 (27) for the quarter.
Ruckman Sam Jacobs won a Round 21-high 38 hit-outs on the weekend.
The Crows took 20 marks from opposition kicks – more than any other team for the round.
Adelaide also ranked equal-first in marks inside forward 50m (18) on the weekend.
Of Adelaide’s total scores, 32.1 per cent came from turnovers – ranked second for the round.
Key defender Kyle Hartigan led the Crows in metres gained (429) against Port Adelaide.
Adelaide ranked second for time in possession of the ball (42:10) in Round 22.
The Crows had five multiple goalkickers: Betts (five), Mitch McGovern (three), Josh Jenkins, Taylor Walker and Tom Lynch (two each).
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 357
Port Adelaide – 324
Disposal efficiency
Adelaide – 74%
Port Adelaide – 70%
Kicks
Adelaide – 208
Port Adelaide – 185
Handballs
Adelaide – 149
Port Adelaide – 139
Clearances
Adelaide – 30
Port Adelaide – 45
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 59
Port Adelaide – 53
Contested possessions
Adelaide – 132
Port Adelaide – 142
Uncontested possessions
Adelaide – 224
Port Adelaide – 188
Tackles
Adelaide – 61
Port Adelaide – 68
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 43
Port Adelaide – 35
