SUMMARY
The Swans have had a tough fortnight with big losses to Hawthorn and West Coast so they'll need a much improved effort to get their season back on track, or they might drop out of the top four. John Longmire's side is struggling to score, while also battling to stop the goals at the other end. The Crows have multiple avenues to goal in skipper Taylor Walker, big man Josh Jenkins, plus the dangerous Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron, so the Swans defence will have its hands full at the SCG.
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Saturday 4.35pm AEST
PAST FIVE TIMES
R3, 2014, Sydney Swans 21.8 (134) d Adelaide 9.17 (71) at Adelaide Oval
R11, 2013, Sydney Swans 19.13 (127) d Adelaide 6.14 (50) at AAMI Stadium
2QF, 2012, Sydney Swans 11.5 (71) d Adelaide 5.12 (42) at AAMI Stadium
R6, 2012, Adelaide 15.9 (99) d Sydney Swans 14.10 (94) at the SCG
R15, 2011, Adelaide 8.9 (57) d Sydney Swans 6.14 (50) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Swans Luke Parker and Lance Franklin kicked four goals each the last time these teams met, when their side won by 63 points in Adelaide last year.
2. The Swans are ranked second for average disposals a game this season with 386.8, but the Crows are the No.1 ranked contested possession side with 146.7 a game.
3. This will be the 36th contest between the sides and Adelaide holds a clear advantage, winning 22 games to 13; however the Swans have won the past three and four of the past six.
4. The Crows are the best clearance team in 2015, they're ranked first averaging 43.1 per game, compared to the Swans who are ranked ninth averaging 39.7.
5. One of the few teams who enjoy a positive win-loss record against the Swans at the SCG, the Crows have won 11 of 16 contests at the venue, including the past four; the Swans haven’t defeated the Crows at the ground since 2004.
6. The Crows will have a big advantage in the ruck if the AFL's Official Player Ratings are any indication. Sam Jacobs is ranked 13th in the League and is the second highest ranked ruckman behind North Melbourne's Todd Goldstein, while the Swans' No.1 big man Mike Pyke is well down the list at number 243.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Nick Smith
The 2014 All Australian will likely spend the important round 18 clash minding Crows goalsneak Eddie Betts, so it's sure to be a busy afternoon. Smith has averaged 16 possessions a game this season, and continues to be given the tough jobs inside the defensive 50. Betts kicked a career-high 51 goals in his first year with the Crows in 2014 and is just 10 off that mark at the moment. If Smith can keep him quiet, it will go a long way towards a Swans victory.
AFL.COM.AU PREDICTION: Sydney Swans by 17 points.
