1. Matt is no Crouch potato
Adelaide’s contested king Scott Thompson was a late withdrawal on Sunday due to general soreness. His replacement, Matt Crouch, is widely seen as Thompson’s heir at West Lakes and in the first quarter he showed why. The 21-year-old equaled the AFL’s 2016 record for disposals in a single quarter with 17, which included nine contested possessions and five clearances. Crouch finished the night with 36 disposals and nine clearances.

Full match report

2. Jenkins flexes again
Whilst he was still heavily involved in creating opportunities for his teammates last week against Greater Western Sydney, Josh Jenkins’ personal output in front of goal was quiet. The big key forward has built considerably on his great 2015 campaign this year, but entered Sunday’s game with two goals from his past two appearances. He returned to form in front of goal against the Saints, though, with four second-term goals setting up a sensational seven-goal haul.

3. Crows show class
After back-to-back wins, St Kilda was brought back to earth on Sunday by a Crows outfit flying high with confidence and moving the ball with laser-like precision. Adelaide outplayed the Saints all over the ground, but the quality of its ball movement allowed its players to find time and space wherever they desired. The Crows managed 25 marks inside 50  (2016 AFL record) and their 152 effective kicks in the opening three terms was the most registered by any side this year.


4. Young Saint grounded
Hugh Goddard’s season is over after rupturing his Achilles in the second term. Goddard turned to chase his opponent Josh Jenkins and, when pushing off his left foot, he fell to the ground in obvious pain. The 21st pick at the 2014 NAB AFL Draft barely moved for a minute or so before he was loaded onto a stretcher and driven from the ground. Sunday was Goddard’s first game of season 2016 and coach Alan Richardson said the youngster is likely to spend 12 months out of action.

5. Double banger spells trouble
The Saints’ night was already in tatters when the No.1 pick at the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, Paddy McCartin, collided with teammate Jack Newnes. But what really compounded the hit was that he clashed heads again while rebounding off Newnes, slamming into Crow Luke Brown’s face. The pair was left sprawled on Adelaide Oval’s turf but while Brown was able to eventually run off the field with a blood nose, McCartin had to be stretchered off and was taken to hospital.