Tex leads from the front

Taylor Walker willed himself into the contest during the second half.  The captain’s first goal came late in the third quarter with an opportunist soccer-effort from the goal square. He then kicked two from outside 50 metres in the fourth; with the second the by-product of a confidence-boosting, overhead pack mark. Persistence paid off for the key forward who was trying hard but struggling to execute before his breakthrough first major. In the second quarter a left foot snap shot took the wrong bounce and went through for a behind, he missed again after playing on from a contested mark and the Eagles scored after he missed a target coming off half-back. Another missed opportunity from close range in the third term wasn’t enough to derail his match.

Welcome back Sloane

There was a big cheer when Rory Sloane received a free kick in the middle of the ground during the first quarter; the home crowd excited by the return of the Crows vice-captain after missing 10 games with a foot injury. He had 13 contested possessions, seven clearances and eight tackles in a successful comeback. A smother deep in defence and a long handball on the wing featured in the 28-year-old’s opening quarter. In the second term he set up Josh Jenkins for a goal when a toe poke got some air and proved the perfect pass, and a tackle on the speedy Liam Ryan in the fourth quarter were all trademark acts the Crows have been missing for most of the season.

Welcome back, @rorysloane! #weflyasone

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Promising signs for Eagles’ depleted forward line

After losing Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Mark Lecras to injury, and kicking 13.31 in consecutive losses, questions were being asked whether the Eagles had the cattle to refit their forward line. For three quarters the visitors looked more than handy in attack - their first eight goals coming from eight different players. The Eagles have been reluctant to shift Jeremy McGovern out of his All Australian defensive post, but his vice-like grip in marking contests and reliable kick make him an irresistible option in attack. A more permanent role in attack for Scott Lycett will be a nightmare for the competition’s best defenders, just ask miserly full back Daniel Talia who gave away two frees against the man mountain. Goals were hard to come by when the Crows surged in the fourth quarter, but at least Adam Simpson has something to work with.

Yeo delivers again

A brilliant intercept mark by Elliot Yeo was head and shoulders above any other play in the second quarter littered with missed opportunities and errors by both sides. The Eagle got a ride on Crows forward Darcy Fogarty, taking a clean mark on his chest about 45 metres from Adelaide's goal, and a couple of metres in the air.

Memorable first goal for Doedee

Tom Doedee has made his mark as the Crows’ replacement for now-Demons defender Jake Lever, but the 21-year-old’s big play in the forward line on Saturday contributed to the comeback victory. Brendon Ah Chee was looking to clear the ball from defence when Doedee herded, then tackled the former Port player and won a holding-the-ball decision. He then showed composure to kick a 50-metre goal from the boundary line to reduce the margin to seven points.