Weather threatened to wreak havoc on footy fans as Gather Round officially got underway on Thursday.
The heavens opened and the storms came crashing down over the City of Churches which caused headaches for those hoping to touchdown in Adelaide.
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Countless flights full of footy lovers were impacted by the severe conditions with delays taking over departure boards at Melbourne Airport.
None however faced a bigger headache than one Jetstar flight that was forced to turn around near Adelaide and return to Melbourne without landing.
But all of the early carnage was forgotten once the action on the field officially got underway at Adelaide Oval.
Fans flocked to the venue in droves with guernseys and scarfs as far as the eye could see as the magic of Gather Round infected the city.
Finding an empty seat inside the venue was as hard as attempting to decipher the enigma and the action unfolding on the turf delivered on the hype of the weekend ahead.
Goals flowed quicker than what the rain had come down earlier in the day as the Crows and Blues combined for 13 goals in the opening term.
Carlton fans, who have been devoid of hope in recent weeks, were up and out of their seats in the early stages.
But the contest was ripped out of their hands once the second quarter got underway as the home team slotted five goals in less than nine minutes to ignite the locals.
After trailing by seven points after the opening term, the Crows went into the main break holding a 24-point advantage.
Blues coach Michael Voss was seen pacing the boundary line throughout the opening half as the pressure continues to mount on his position.
While there have been a few more promising signs from the Blues, a third straight loss will only amplify the noise coming from an irate fanbase.
In stark contrast the Crows, who have lost their past three matches, entered the contest relatively free from the question marks that are lingering over the head of the Blues.
A win from the home team in front of a sold out Adelaide Oval would be the ideal start for Gather Round.
Well, maybe not for Voss and the Blues.
