SUMMARY
It's desperate times for Adelaide as last year's grand finalists aim to stay within touching distance of the top eight. The injury-depleted Crows have lost four on the trot to slip to 11th on the ladder with a 6-7 win-loss record. They've been busy during their bye week – cutting ties with mind training company Collective Mind and locking away gun forward Tom Lynch for the next three years. The third-placed Eagles (10-3) also have a point to prove after dropping their past two games. The twin-headed monster of Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett should give the Eagles an advantage in the ruck, but it's up to their midfield to capitalise. That's no easy feat against a Crows' side second in the League for contested possessions. The Eagles will also need to find a way past in-form Crows key defender Daniel Talia. Adelaide Oval holds no fear for the Eagles, but the Crows have too much to play for.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, June 30, 4.05pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R23, 2017, West Coast 15.10 (100) d Adelaide 10.11 (71) at Subiaco Oval
R23, 2016, West Coast 14.16 (100) d Adelaide 10.11 (71) at Adelaide Oval
R12, 2016, Adelaide 15.15 (105) d West Coast 11.10 (76) at Subiaco Oval
R22, 2015, Adelaide 19.12 (126) d West Coast 10.9 (69) at Adelaide Oval
R15, 2015, West Coast 22.15 (147) d Adelaide 14.7 (91) at Subiaco Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. Adelaide's scoring has fallen away dramatically this season, especially in recent weeks. The Crows averaged 98 points per game between rounds 1-7. Since round eight, that average has dropped to 64 points in their past six games.
2. West Coast has had the edge on the Crows recently, winning four of their past six games since 2014. In a strange coincidence, the past three games have all been decided by 29 points. The Eagles are aiming for their third-straight win over the Crows for the first time since 2006-07.
3. The Eagles are third on the ladder despite applying the least amount of tackles in the League this season, averaging 58.3 per game. The Crows are ranked 10th, averaging 64.2.
4. Adelaide Oval strikes fear into most travelling sides, but the Eagles aren't one of them. They've got a sensational record at the venue, winning six of their seven games. The Eagles are 2-1 against the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
5. Both sides are aiming to end losing streaks. For the Crows, a fifth straight defeat will be the first time that's occurred since rounds 10-14, 2011. The Eagles last lost three on the trot in rounds 9-11 last year.
6. Eagles star Jeremy McGovern is third among key defenders in the Schick AFL Player Ratings this season. McGovern is averaging 13.4 rating points per game, behind Brisbane young gun Harris Andrews and Richmond's Alex Rance.
Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs faces a massive test against the twin towers of Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett. The Eagles are one of the only sides in the League who play two specialist ruckmen. Jacobs will get some assistance from Josh
PREDICTION: Crows by 10 points
