As the Crows prepare to kick off their 2012 NAB Cup campaign in ‘mini-matches’ against Carlton and Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Sunday, afc.com.au takes a statistical look at the Club’s involvement in the pre-season competition …
One - The number of pre-season premierships in the Crows’ trophy cabinet. Adelaide’s one and only pre-season flag came under former coach Gary Ayres in 2003 when the Club knocked off Collingwood by 31 points - 2.13.8 (104) to 1.9.10 (73) - in front of 43,571 fans at Docklands.
Five - The total number of pre-season Grand Finals the Crows have been involved in. Adelaide’s other appearances in pre-season deciders have resulted in losses to Essendon (1994), North Melbourne (1995), Geelong (2006) and St Kilda (2008).
Four - the name changes the AFL pre-season competition has undergone since Adelaide’s inception into the competition. Known as the NAB Cup since 2006, the pre-season comp was previously sponsored by Fosters (1990-1994), Ansett (1995-2001) and Wizard Home Loans (2002-2005)
Five - The nine-point goals kicked by former ‘super-boot’ Simon Goodwin in pre-season matches - ranked equal-third in AFL history.
Seven - The goals kicked by Taylor Walker in the Crows’ pre-season hit-out against Richmond at Visy Park last year.
Eight - The number of pre-season Semi-Finals the Club has reached.
32 - The pre-season matches played by dual-premiership star Tyson Edwards - ranked equal-sixth in the AFL of all-time. Former champions Mark Bickley and Andrew McLeod each played 31 pre-season games.
52 - The total number of official pre-season matches Adelaide has played for a record of 30 wins and 22 losses.
65 - Goals kicked by superstar forward Tony Modra in pre-season matches - ranked equal-fifth in VFL/AFL history.
75 - The margin in Adelaide’s second-round NAB Challenge win over Fremantle at Thebarton Oval last year. The Crows also beat Richmond in the third-week of the second-tier pre-season competition, but lost to Carlton by 24 points in the final round. Adelaide was bounced out of the NAB Cup after winning only one of its first-round ‘mini-matches’ against Port Adelaide. The Club's other week-one result was a loss to Melbourne.
183 - The Crows’ highest-ever score in a pre-season game - 27.21 (183) against North Melbourne in 1993.
2011 - Collingwood is the reigning NAB Cup champion, having defeated Essendon 1.15.9 (108) to 0.13.8 (89) at Etihad Stadium in March last year.
Click here to purchase tickets to Adelaide's opening round of NAB Cup matches against Carlton and Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Sunday
