1. Crows take momentum to the SCG
Many have been seduced by the form of a side from the bottom half of the eight in the opening week of the finals. But the Crows will go to the SCG next weekend night to take on a beaten up Swans in good shape. Adelaide won only one fewer match than the Swans in the minor round and looked energised against North, coming off a week off. Eddie Betts and Tom Lynch led a forward line that had its mojo back and the Crows' back six looked steadier than against West Coast in the final round. Adelaide’s only concern was around the contest where they were statistically beaten by the Roos in the opening half. They’ll face a sterner test in this area next week.

Full match report

2. What's next for North
We may learn more in coming days about the full impact North Melbourne’s public announcement on the future of four veterans heading into Round 23 had on the club. For those who missed it, the club told Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito they weren’t required next season. North’s form was ordinary before the announcement and it remained that way. The Roos had a crack for a half against the Crows but, as Adelaide put the foot down, the body language of North players was telling. It wasn’t a group with a genuine stomach for the fight, and it was a sad way to farewell some champions of the club. The club says it wants an "aggressive reset". But, with Daniel Wells, still yet to commit, the future direction at Arden Street looks uncertain. Four of the Roos' top six possession winners on the night are not required or uncontracted.

3. Eddie, you genius
They say the cream rises in finals and it rang true in this match. Betts stood up and kicked two brilliant first half goals, both at crucial times. The first saw him jump early and take a brilliant high mark and the second was a classy piece of crumbing. But the superstar was just getting warmed up and treated the adoring Adelaide Oval crowd to four more second half majors. The return of six was Betts’ best in a final and takes his season tally to a remarkable 72. That is the best return by a small forward since Jeff Farmer kicked 76 in 2000. He may go past the former Demon and Docker by season’s end.


4. Tom Lynch may be Adelaide’s most important player these finals
The link man produced a near best on ground performance against North. Lynch’s work leading up as a high forward and delivering inside 50 was important. But he also worked deep inside the forward 50 and hit the scoreboard with four goals. Fast transition football will be tougher to achieve against the Swans and Lynch’s link role will be even more vital, in a match where Adelaide will need to force the issue when in possession. Brodie Smith and his damaging kicking was a factor against North and he will also be crucial against the Swans.

5. Majak Daw must be in North’s plans for 2017
It’s amazing how quickly things can change in footy. With North 9-0 after nine rounds, Majak Daw couldn’t break into the team and North’s list managers would have been scrutinising how long to persevere with the 25-year-old. Fast forward four months and the decision on whether he stays may be Daw’s, not North’s. The Sudanese-born forward has been one of the only positives in the second half of the season. He kicked four goals in an excellent effort against Adelaide and finally looks to have found his feet at AFL level. The question is, did the uncontracted Daw talk to other clubs while his future at North looked uncertain earlier in the season?