1. Clutch Kennedy
Adelaide looked to have the game won when it stretched its lead to 13 points in the fourth quarter but the Eagles never gave up. Super sub Andrew Embley brought them back within a goal and then Bradd Dalziell drew the scores level with just 1m56s to go. The Crows gave up a free kick in their forward line and West Coast managed to get the ball moving down the outer wing. It ended up with star forward Josh Kennedy who ran the ball inside the 50 and calmly slotted the winner on his left boot. Kennedy starred, finishing with four straight goals and ensuring the Eagles' finals hopes are still alive. He had good support from Chris Masten, with 39 possessions and 22 handball receives, and the evergreen Matthew Priddis who had 33 touches and 11 clearances.
2. McKernan's mixed bag
Shaun McKernan produced a moment of magic in the opening minutes of the match. First he took an outstanding contested mark against Mitch Brown and then immediately wheeled around on his right boot and slotted an outstanding goal from outside 50 from the toughest pocket at AAMI Stadium. Moments later he was reported for striking after collecting Brad Sheppard with a late elbow to the face. Sheppard spent time off the ground but wasn't subbed out. McKernan is set for at least three weeks on the sidelines after the nastiest strike at AAMI Stadium since Mark Bickley's infamous hit on Darryl Wakelin. To top things off he lost his shoe when kicking the ball inside 50 later in the first. He is a true enigma.
3. McGinnity's fateful flop
Twenty-two minutes into the third quarter West Coast defender Patrick McGinnity found himself in the Eagles' forward line. With the ball in dispute 40m out McGinnity gathered and then threw his head back like he'd been close-lined by "The Rock". Adelaide players and fans threw the hands up in dismay and the replay showed a flop that the 2006 World Cup-winning Italian soccer team would've been proud of. He went back and slotted the crucial goal but it was a terrible look for the game.
4. Classy Crouch
Fresh from his NAB Rising Star nomination with 31 possessions against Gold Coast last week, Brad Crouch showed he'll be a star of the future with another great performance. His composure and gathering skills in slippery conditions were all class. He finished with 26 possessions and was the Crows' best. His performance was timely with Steven Trigg's return to CEO this week after a six-month suspension for his involvement in the Kurt Tippett contract saga. With the loss of first and second round draft picks for two seasons the Crows would be counting their blessings that they traded with GWS for pick two in the mini draft that saw them land Crouch.
5. Adelaide's finals hopes fading
Late in the game it looked like Adelaide, not West Coast, had revived its finals hopes but three Eagles goals in the last six minutes almost sealed the Crows' fate. Considering Carlton's loss on Friday night, this was a must-win for the Crows who have now lost six of eight games at home this season. They now sit 6-8 and have a tough month ahead with Collingwood, Geelong, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and North Melbourne. All of those teams are above them on the ladder and if they want to feature in September they can only afford to drop two more games. Coach Brenton Sanderson said during the week that the Crows will play finals if they deserve to. After 15 rounds they don't.
