With its season on the brink at 3-4, a win was absolutely crucial for the Crows on Thursday night. Certainly there would be no bigger stage this season than a Thursday night game in front of a national audience against the League's biggest club, with their superstar full forward returning from a knee reconstruction. And the home side stepped up. Adelaide played the momentum of the game wonderfully, breaking the Magpies in the third quarter before holding them in the last.

 

Sanderson warned Crows fans not to expect the world of Taylor Walker in his first game at AFL level since undergoing a knee reconstruction last year. He said there was no 'pass mark' for the star forward, he just wanted to see 'Tex' compete. Compete he did; the 24-year-old wasn't able to cash in on the scoreboard, booting four behinds, but he worked hard all game to provide important contests in the forward line and higher up the ground. His return of 16 possessions, seven marks and three tackles was enough to suggest he'll again prove a force in the Crows' attack.

 

Crows defender Daniel Talia talked Travis Cloke up as one of the best forwards of the past decade last week, but the Magpie superstar's performances against Adelaide haven't reflected his brilliance. In the 13 games he had played against the Crows before Thursday night he'd managed just 13 goals, his worst return on average against any side. Talia held Cloke to just one goal on Thursday night, ensuring his one-a-game average against the Crows continues.

 

The 21-point final margin will say it wouldn't have mattered whether Josh Jenkins' late third-term goal was ruled too late or not. The Crows already led by eight points and Eddie Betts kicked another major early in the final term to give his side a game-high 23-point advantage. But Jenkins' goal, his fourth, was hugely important. It confirmed the swing in momentum and, on the back of some brilliance from newcomer Charlie Cameron, brought the crowd into the game. Television replays clearly showed the clock had reached zero before Jenkins slammed the ball through for the goal.

 

The focus might have been well and truly focused on Walker in the lead up to the game, but 19-year-old Charlie Cameron's debut was promising. At just 72kg there's not a lot of the teenager they call 'Jets', but he packs a punch. Cameron is pure energy and a tackling dynamo. As well as the five tackles in his first game, Cameron's overall defensive pressure was outstanding – as was his courage to take the game on. He booted a crucial goal in the third term to extend his side's lead and was involved in another that helped seal the side's victory.

  

Twitter: @AFL_Harry