Eddie Betts only took 24 minutes to completely spoil the storyline.

His goal-less previous two games against Hawthorn’s Ben Stratton were highlighted by the media in the days before Friday night’s game at the MCG but after only 56 seconds of his 50^th Crows game a goal was next to No 18 in the Footy Record.

A long forward entry from Paul Seedsman bounced past a contest and found its way to Betts, who had predicted its path with ease and then used his left boot to snap the goal from close range.

The celebration style suggested he may have been aware of some of the pre-game chatter.

Betts’ second goal at the 19-minute mark came after he was able to burn off his opponents and run on to a long kick from Richard Douglas.

Five minutes later, more quick movement from half back allowed Brodie Smith to pass to Betts in space, who this time converted the set shot from about 25 metres.

Cue the “Eddieeeeeee” chant.

That’s what can happen when the footy is being moved into the Crows’ scoring zone with speed, in contrast to most of last September’s semi-final at the same venue when Hawthorn’s midfield dominated the ball movement on the way to a 74-point win.

Betts was not the only forward to benefit from some of the work further down the ground in the first term, where Rory Sloane was outstanding with nine contested possessions, four intercepts and three score launches.

Adelaide kicked seven goals from 13 inside 50s, including five consecutive goals in 13 minutes, and promising first-year forward Mitch McGovern was involved in three of the goals.

Hawthorn’s small forwards Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo then starred in the second term when the Hawks won more of the stoppages and by half-time 20 goals had been scored, ten by each team.

Betts did not kick any more goals after his early burst but still played a part, including a nice play midway through the final term when he won the ball near the boundary line and passed inside to Jake Lever, who ignored the chance to kick his first AFL goal and instead handballed off to Paul Seedsman for a long and successful shot.

Adelaide has now kicked 88 goals in the first five rounds, with a lowest score of 97 in the opening round loss to North Melbourne.

Betts leads the way with 16 goals this season but Josh Jenkins (13), Tom Lynch (12) and Taylor Walker (11) have shared the load, with all four also ranking high in score involvements just behind Rory Sloane and Brodie Smith.

Betts has booted 130 goals in his first 50 games for the Crows. Only star full forward Tony Modra kicked more in the first 50 – 220 goals including 129 in 1993, his first full season in the AFL.