Adelaide have knocked Port Adelaide off top spot on the ladder with a shock 23-point derby win in an entertaining affair.
The Crows’ shutdown of the Power in the third term, in which they kept their bitter foes goal-less for the first time in a quarter this season, and some final-term magic from Eddie Betts were the driving factors behind the 14.15 (99) to 10.16 (76) triumph at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Betts’ two stunning late goals ensured the Crows staved off a customary Port fightback to record their first showdown victory since 2012.
Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs, who kicked three goals and was judged best afield, gave first use of the ball midfield brigade Scott Thompson (34 disposals, seven tackles), Patrick Dangerfield (32 disposals) and Rory Sloane (21 touches, nine tackles).
In an opening term riddled with errors, the Crows opened the scoring within the first minute only to see the Power roll over the top of them by kicking the next four goals.
Late goals to Dangerfield and Jacobs ensured the Crows kept within touching distance at quarter-time.
Majors to Jason Porplyzia and Jacobs early in the second term had the Crows on track to reel in the deficit until Jay Schulz responded.
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But Port could not keep the Crows at bay as Josh Jenkins goaled late in the stanza to again cut Port’s lead to 10 points at the main break.
With Port forced to sub key defender Jackson Trengove at halftime following an ankle injury, the Crows drew first blood to start the third quarter when Thompson goaled from a neat snap.
A sudden downfall of rain dried up goalscoring opportunities until Adelaide hit the front for the first time after 13 minutes through Betts.
The Power were on the ropes when Taylor Walker toe-poked the ball home to give the Crows a two-goal lead.
The Power had the last five inside 50s of the quarter but could only register four minor scores as the Crows held on to lead by 10 points at the final break.
The Crows, spearheaded by Betts, then pulled clear in the final term as they booted five goals to three.
Adelaide’s challenge now will be to break their win-loss, win-loss sequence that goes back to round six.
Their next opponent is lowly Greater Western Sydney away, before two big matches against the Hawks (home) and Collingwood (away).
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The Crows have a 7-7 record and are one win outside the top eight.
Also on Sunday, the Western Bulldogs outlasted Melbourne in a pulsating last term to win by six points at Etihad Stadium.
Bulldogs first-year player Marcus Bontempelli snapped an astonishing goal with three minutes left and they held on to win 14.7 (91) to 13.7 (85).
Melbourne trailled by 37 points in the first half and coach Paul Roos said their start to the match was diabolical.
The Demons then stormed back with seven goals in the third term to set up the thrilling last quarter.
While the Hawks beat Gold Coast by 53 points on Saturday in Launceston and ultimately returned to top spot, the weekend’s successes came at a high price.
Their star utility Cyril Rioli suffered the seventh hamstring injury of his career during the Suns match.
It is worse than expected and his season might be over, with Rioli sidelined for eight to 10 weeks.
That means, at best, Rioli will not return until the last round of the regular season.
Brisbane honoured retired great Jonathan Brown with a shock four-point win on Saturday night that raises fresh questions about North Melbourne.
Fremantle survived a late rally from West Coast to win the western derby by seven points, while Sydney downed their cross-town rivals GWS by 46 points.
Richmond beat St Kilda by 44 points and Geelong opened round 15 on Friday night with a pulsating nine-point win over Essendon.
