1. Danger's illness cured
Before the ball was even bounced on Sunday Patrick Dangerfield's grandfather predicted a big game for Adelaide's No. 32 – his girlfriend returned home from abroad at the start of the week. Mardi spent three months in Bangladesh on a work placement and, judging by Paddy's performances in the first four rounds, he might have suffered a bout of love sickness. Dangerfield averaged 20 possessions and a goal a game in his first four outings this season, but on the back of Mardi's return last Monday, the 23-year-old booted five goals, collected 33 disposals and had nine clearances in his first best on ground display for 2014.
2. 250 up for Crows' champ
Although he claimed he didn't have the time to reflect during the week, Sunday's game marked a significant milestone for Scott Thompson – his 250th AFL match. The 31-year-old's immense ball-winning ability was on full show against the GIANTS. The two-time club champion managed 13 disposals in the opening term and finished with 38 touches and nine clearances to celebrate his ibig day.
3. Another GIANT forward
Given the hype that has surrounded the man mountain that is 18-year-old No. 1 draft pick Tom Boyd, it was always going to be difficult for his debut to avoid being an anti-climax. At 201cm and 102kg, Boyd is a monster of a teenager and a third huge body in a forward line already featuring Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton. But even a brilliant forward line will struggle if supply is limited; a fact proved so against the Crows. Boyd was held goalless and wasn't really given the chance to show what all the talk has been about. No doubt he'll have plenty of opportunity to walk the walk in the coming weeks and years.
4. Douglas in hot water?
Richard Douglas could find himself in a spot of bother for an off-the-ball shepherd on GIANTS co-captain Callan Ward in the second term. Ward was casually following the play as Crow Brodie Smith set himself for a long shot at goal, when Douglas applied a solid hip and shoulder. While Ward was concussed in the incident and later subbed, the bump didn't appear high and the bulk of the damage looked to occur when Ward's head hit the turf. His teammates didn't like it though, and remonstrated fiercely with Douglas on the boundary line.
5. Hardly embarrassing
It was apparent pretty early on that the GIANTS were going to be outclassed. They looked the better side for half of the opening term, but from that point of it was a matter of 'how much' for the home side. The margin blew out to 61 points half way through the third quarter, but at no point did the GIANTS allow the wheels to completely fall off. Adelaide only managed to extend its lead to 65 points by the final siren, hardly a consolation prize for the GIANTS, but proof they stuck around until the end.
