1. Monumental victory
Saturday night’s encounter was billed as a clash of the early season’s top performers and it was clear early on it would live up to the hype. The contest was ferocious and filled with a finals-like pressure that at times made for scrappy football, but ultimately delivered an absolute nail-biter. Tackling and clearance numbers, contested possession, inside 50s and hit-outs were all quite even, but ultimately it was the home side that managed to stick around when it needed to, before fighting its way into the lead when it mattered most. The 10-point victory oozed character and sets the Crows up to prove countless doubters wrong in the first half of the season.

Full match report

2. Tippet’s tough reception
The enormous grin smeared across Kurt Tippett’s face as he ran out onto Adelaide Oval was evidence enough that the crowd’s displeasure at his return wouldn’t faze him. Their chorus of boos when Tippett first took possession 30 seconds or so into the game broke the silence that followed the opening bounce, but did nothing to distract the former Crow. He was great in the ruck, sticking with Sam Jacobs (35 hit-outs, 13 disposals) and managed to impact the game where it mattered most with two majors. It wasn’t enough, though, and while Tippett appeared jovial as he ran out onto the ground, it was the Crows’ fans that had the last laugh on Saturday night.

3. Crows champ notches another milestone
Scott Thompson hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down in recent seasons and put in a typically tough performance against the Swans in what was his 250th game for the Club. Thompson fought hard to win 27 possessions, a team-high six clearances and an equal game-high 10 tackles. His individual contribution to what was a massive win for the club against the previously undefeated Swans was the icing on the cake - a dessert that Thompson will be allowed to celebrate this weekend. The 33-year-old’s 300th senior game is now firmly in his sights and, should he avoid injury, he’ll reach that milestone in Round 16 against Carlton.

4. A tasty spread
Whilst the attention was squarely focused on Crows’ key forward Josh Jenkins during the week following his brilliant start to 2016, coach Don Pyke was quick to deflect the hype and instead praise his forward line’s even contribution. Sure the Crows’ attack is headlined by Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts and perhaps now Jenkins, but on Saturday night Pyke’s even spread was what won the Crows the game. Rather than relying on one or two options to kick a winning score, four players kicked at least two goals (Betts 4, Lynch 3, Walker, McGovern, Seedsman 2) while another three also hit the scoreboard.

5. Four-goal 'Frank'
You’ve just got to feel sorry for defenders who are asked to man Lance Franklin. Daniel Talia appeared to be doing a stellar job at curbing ‘Buddy’s’ influence through the first half and into the third term. But as he so often does, Franklin seemed to sneak up on the game and by three quarter time had quietly built another superstar performance. For the fourth game straight he booted four goals and handed one off to Tippett, and while there’s little else Talia could have possibly done, Buddy’s class ensured he wouldn’t be kept quiet.