I’m not going to try to sell you on this game being a great watch – it was over at halftime, as the Adelaide Crows pounded a disappointing North Melbourne to the tune of ten goals in the second stanza.
I’m sure that for Crows supporters, this was a blast – your club flexed muscles in places other teams don’t even have, and I come into this review unsure whether to praise the Crows relentlessly, or whack the putrid effort from the Kangaroos.
Why not both, I hear you ask?
Good suggestion!
The Crows were brutal as soon as they sensed weakness in the visitors, and punished them both physically, and on the scoreboard. As the teams walked off at halftime, there was no illusion about where either of them were at. North were destined to look to the draft again, or bolster their team with free agents.
The Crows, on the other hand… they made it very clear that their challenge in 2026 was very, very real. And when they’re on, they’re very, very good.
Let’s jump into HB’s Loves and Hates from this one.
This is just the introduction – the remainder of this article is for our members. They support me, and I provide for them. It’s a good deal.
Oh… a Mongrel paywall… the worst of all paywalls. We’re all in on the 2026 AFL season. Player articles, stats, awards, game coverage. Dump the mainstream lip service and dive into articles like this – you will never look back. If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I consider it your loss as we get into the grind of the season, and you’re stuck with the stuff that’s frustrated you for years.
