Who is the flag favourite now after Swans’ win at Adelaide Oval

AND so, the premiership picture is becoming clearer and muddier at the same time. It is obvious that despite the hyperbole afforded the Crows that they are neither unassailable nor without weakness.

Rory Sloane gets away from the Swans. Picture: Sarah Reed

AND so, the premiership picture is becoming clearer and muddier at the same time.

It is obvious that despite the hyperbole afforded the Crows that they are neither unassailable nor without weakness.

They are very good, but there are clearly other teams that fit that bill.

Adelaide was afforded the same unbeatable rating back in Neil Craig’s time as coach, when it was said there was Adelaide, then daylight, only for the Crows to fail to capitalise on their great form.

Adelaide Crows’ Rory Sloane goes forward. Picture: SARAH REED

It has been forgotten in the hype how resilient and hardened Sydney is, how abundantly talent-stacked GWS is, how Richmond appears to have finally got its house in order and how Geelong continues to have an X-factor about it which the Cats put on display just about every time they play at Kardinia Park.

Adelaide was jumped by the Swans and it can be picked out as a reason for the loss just as much as its scattergun kicking for goal.

But there was more to it than that.

Sydney coach John Longmire put down the start that took the crowd out of the game just as much to preparation as he did the mindset of the players — and it wasn’t as though the Crows didn’t know that the Swans have made a habit out of starting well.

The Crows’ forward line is also possible to contain; Mitch McGovern was both impressive and opportunistic but the big names failed to have a big impact against the Swans.

Former St Kilda champion, Richmond coach and now respected Fox Footy commentator Danny Frawley put it well during the week: if Sydney’s midfield can force the delivery into Adelaide’s forward line to be wide or high it should be a good day for the Swans’ defenders. For much of it, that’s how it panned out.

For that, a three-point loss to a fellow flag contender is no reason for people to be overly concerned, they will most likely stitch up the minor premiership in Perth next round.

It’s just that the premiership race remains just as open and unpredictable as this season has been.

What was there to like about the Crows?

For one, they showed maturity in being able to adjust, change their ways and reverse alarming momentums within quarters — without having the direct instructions available to them from Don Pyke and his coaching team.

Rory Sloane, who was beset upon before the opening bounce in what has now become customary treatment from opposition teams, has developed an even thicker hide and can overcome the most niggling treatment.

One of his team-mates said it well afterwards when he described Sloane as lion-hearted and with a head as hard as a cat’s. He was also one of the most influential players in the game because he tackles like none other (a game-high 14) and can take and give off possession on the run despite having somebody on his back.

But the premiership race remains open and the Crows’ favouritism has been tempered just a little.

There’s a real chance Sydney will be back in Adelaide for the first week of the finals.

Most Adelaide supporters will barrack for Richmond to keep winning so that it doesn’t happen.

Originally published as Who is the flag favourite now after Swans’ win at Adelaide Oval