Unsung Toby Murray bagged the first two goals of his AFL career in the last 67 seconds of a gripping third quarter to give Adelaide an eight-point quarter-time cushion over Port Adelaide.
Third-gamer Murray’s first – a beauty from the scoreboard pocket – gave the Crows their first lead since the opening minutes, before he followed with another with just seven seconds left on the clock.
Izak Rankine set Adelaide Oval alight with one of the goals of the season entering time-on, following a deft behind-the-head tap over Jase Burgoyne with a fine finish from 50m after getting the handball back from Isaac Cumming.
After trailing at both of the first two changes and for most of the third term, the Crows deserved their lead, progressively asserting themselves on the Power at the contest and in the territory battle.
The 59th Showdown looms as the battle of the fittest with quartet Taylor Walker, Jordon Butts (Adelaide), Mitch Georgiades and Logan Evans (Port) all with injury concerns.
Zak Butters, best-afield in the first half, wasn’t at his best in that quarter. Nor were the Power, but they are far from out of this one.
