Given the Demons' 12-year losing streak in South Australia and their poor recent form, nobody expected the visitors to venture over the border and claim a second win of the season. Three consecutive wins had seen the Crows wrestle their season back on to even terms, and at home in front of a big Saturday night crowd a fourth-straight win seemed inevitable. The Demons, it seemed, did not get the memo. They began the game in outstanding fashion, outworking their fancied opponents inside the contest and running harder on the outside to set up a commanding 28-point half-time lead. More to Melbourne's credit was its ability to absorb Adelaide's push when it came, remain composed and hold on for the four points.

It'll go down as the one that got away, given Adelaide's superior inside 50 count (63-41) and its wasted opportunities in front of goal, but in truth it was Melbourne's to lose. The Demons' pressure was intense from the opening bounce and while the home side managed to continually drive the ball into attack, most of the kick-ins were rushed or popped to a dangerous spot, allowing Melbourne's defenders to mop up and rebound effectively. Crows coach Brenton Sanderson will now have next weekend off with the bye and there's no doubt his side will need to emerge from it firing should it develop into a finals challenger.

Adelaide might have entered round seven as the third-highest scoring side in the League, but the Demons entered Saturday's clash a vastly improved defensive unit under new coach Paul Roos. At the end of round six last year Melbourne had conceded the most points in the AFL; to the same point this year, they have improved their defence by almost 10 goals a game. Melbourne's improvement was further highlighted against the Crows, keeping the home side to 67 points, their lowest score of the season.

The former Adelaide midfielder was a popular character at West Lakes and his trade to Melbourne last October was controversial. It was a ruthless move but a necessary one as the Crows looked to work their way around draft sanctions. Saturday marked Vince's return to the city in which he made his name and the 28-year-old thrived on his 'home' soil, collecting 26 possessions, laying six tackles and proving a huge thorn in his old team's side.

The match had hardly begun when Tom Lynch led out from attack, closely followed by his opponent and former Norwood defender Alex Georgiou.  Lynch was hit front on by former North Adelaide junior Jack Viney, sending his head flying backwards into Georgiou's and knocking them both momentarily senseless. Lynch and Georgiou were helped from the ground and subbed out to undergo concussion tests. While Georgiou was able to return to the field, Lynch took no further part in the game.