When Graham Johncock got on the end of a Rory Sloane-inspired turnover and set sail for goal in the second quarter of Balfours Showdown XXXII at AAMI Stadium on Sunday night, few onlookers would’ve realised he was shooting at his 100^th career major.

But the defender himself was well aware.

Goalless in his previous three games this year, Johncock’s most recent goal - his 99^th - came against West Coast in round 24 last season, so when he received a slick handpass inside 50m from Matt Wright against Port Adelaide his eyes lit up.

“I knew I was on 99,” Johncock told afc.com.au after the game.

“I’d been stuck there for a while, so it was good to finally get the 100^th.”

It was the first of two timely goals to Johncock, who was released from his usual role in the Crows backline, on Sunday night.

The 29-year-old started on a wing at different stages after half-time, applying his defensive skills to create pressure in Adelaide’s forward half.

The Crows 2009 leading goalkicker celebrated his return to attack, converting a set-shot from 60m out to put his side 11 points ahead early in the final term.

“I got forward for one goal in the first half, but then at three-quarter time was asked to go forward,” he said.

“It’s good to play different roles. It’s always good to be out there running around, but things can get a little stagnant at times and you need that change.

“I’ve been around for a while, so it was good to go forward and kick a couple of goals tonight.”

After being outscored six goals-to-two and relinquishing a 27-point lead in third quarter, the Crows piled on the first four majors of the fourth term to regain the ascendancy and set-up a gutsy 19-point win.

“It’s always good to win a Showdown … and to the boys’ credit, it was a really hard-fought win,” Johncock said.

“We were challenged in third quarter. We overused the ball a little bit and started to get a bit cute with the footy again. We went away from the basics that we pride ourselves on.

“We got back to the way we want to play in the last quarter and it was a good win.”

The Crows sit in fourth spot on the AFL ladder after claiming four wins from the opening five rounds, but face a tough five weeks heading into the break.

Adelaide heads to Sydney to take on the unbeaten Swans on Saturday night, and faces matches against reigning premiers Geelong (AAMI Stadium), Carlton (Etihad Stadium), Collingwood (AAMI Stadium) and Fremantle (Patersons Stadium) in the following weeks.

“It’s been a great start to the season for the boys, but in the next month we’ll see where we’re at,” Johncock said.

“We’ve played some good footy and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”