SUMMARY
It’s only Round Seven, but Saturday’s clash between the Crows and Roosters looms as an important one in the context of both club’s seasons. Adelaide sits just outside the top five with a 3-3 record and must keep rebuilding its winning momentum from the start of the year. The Crows have regained some stability in defence and now have a plethora of options in attack - particularly talls - as the Club’s injury list continues to shorten. North Adelaide has dropped its past two games and could fall two games outside the top five with another defeat on Saturday. It would be a long way back for Josh Carr’s men.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 4
North Adelaide: 2
WHERE AND WHEN: Prospect Oval, Saturday, May 27, 2.40pm ACST
BROADCAST DETAILS: Live on Channel Seven in SA. Coverage begins at 2.30pm.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R14, 2016, North Adelaide 9.9 (63) d by Adelaide 11.12 (78) at Prospect Oval
R7, 2016, North Adelaide 9.9 (63) d by Adelaide 9.13 (67) at Prospect Oval
R14, 2015, North Adelaide 8.11 (59) d by Adelaide 25.10 (160) at Prospect Oval
R2, 2015, North Adelaide 13.12 (90) d Adelaide 12.15 (87) at Prospect Oval
R11, 2014, North Adelaide 13.12 (90) d by Adelaide 15.4 (94) at Prospect Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. Harry Dear kicked a career-best six goals the last time these two teams met in Round 14 last season. Cam Ellis-Yolmen was Adelaide’s top possession-winner with 27 disposals and seven marks.
2. The SANFL Crows have won the past three encounters against North Adelaide, including a 101-point win in Round 14 of 2015.
3. Young Crow Harrison Wigg had a career-high 38 possessions against West Adelaide last round – the most by any player in the SANFL for Round Six.
4. Wigg and current Crows rookie Ben Jarman were both drafted from North Adelaide.
5. Roosters veteran Leigh Ryswyk continues is No.1 the SANFL for marks on the lead (12) and is the top-ranked player at the club for total marks (43), score assists (eight) and goal assists (five).
6. Saturday’s clash will be a battle between the SANFL’s two most accurate teams. North Adelaide has an incredible conversion rate of 77 per cent while Adelaide is the second-most accurate side at just under 70 per cent.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Josh Jenkins
Jenkins kicked four goals in his debut for the SANFL Crows last round. Crows coaching staff will be watching what he does without the ball as closely as what he does with it as he targets a spot back in Adelaide’s senior side. In the meantime, his leadership and presence will be valuable for Adelaide’s young SANFL team and could help fast-track the development of some of his younger teammates.