Adelaide’s strength has largely been in the second and third quarters, while conceding ground to the opposition at the beginning and end of games.
The Crows have won four first quarters, ranked above only the bottom three teams in the league in Brisbane, St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney. Their five final terms won has them sitting in the middle of the pack.
Conversely, Adelaide has won seven second quarters and seven third quarters. In fact, each of the side’s five wins has seen wins in both the second and third terms.
| Quarter wins | First quarter | Second quarter | Third quarter | Fourth quarter |
| Adelaide | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
The improvement in the middle part of the game has come both offensively and defensively for Adelaide. While the Crows have been on the receiving end of fast starts all too often, it has been immediately followed by their best defensive quarter of the season.
It all begins at the fall of the ball – Adelaide has been +31 in clearances during the second and third terms, with the majority of those (19) coming at centre bounces. To illustrate the difference, the Crows are basically even (+2) with their opponents in the first and last quarters combined.
In the forward half of the ground, Josh Jenkins and Eddie Betts have been something of a barometer for Adelaide. The two have combined for 14 goals in the first and last quarters. However in the second and third quarters, that total almost doubles, swelling to 24.
The efforts of Jenkins and Betts points to a larger offensive explosion in each quarter. In the second term, the Crows ranks fourth in the competition for most points scored. It only dips slightly after half-time, sitting seventh.
| Total points | First quarter | Second quarter | Third quarter | Fourth quarter |
| Adelaide - For | 194 | 268 | 270 | 236 |
| AFL rank | 15th | 4th | 7th | 13th |
| Adelaide - Against | 262 | 187 | 225 | 284 |
| AFL rank | 16th | 5th | 9th | 13th |
An important note is Adelaide’s third quarter numbers are slightly deflated by an anomaly against Fremantle last weekend, conceding an uncharacteristic five goals to one for the term.
Looking back to the two clashes between the sides in 2013, both featured lead changes in the final terms, with the games going down to the wire. However in 2014, Adelaide’s game situation following the premiership quarter has often been the same at the final siren.
In the Crows’ five wins, they have been ahead at three quarter time on every occasion. In five of their six losses, they have been behind with a term to play. The only game which hasn’t followed the pattern was Round 10 against Carlton, when they led by just one point at the final break.
If North finds itself behind upon Brad Scott’s final address, it will fancy a comeback victory to wipe away the memories of 2013. It has come back twice from a three quarter time deficit so far this year, the equal-high in the competition.
