SUMMARY
After a week off, the SANFL Crows return to action against a winless West Adelaide on Saturday afternoon. Like their AFL counterparts, the Club’s state league team needs to bounce back this weekend. The SANFL Crows have lost their last three games by an average of 45 points to undo some of the side’s good early-season work. The expected return of Crows SANFL co-captain Alex Keath and hardened defender Kyle Cheney will add some much-needed experience to Adelaide’s lineup, while others could also slot into the team as the Club’s injury list continues to dwindle. A win this week is vital to stay in touch of the top five with the halfway mark of the season in sight.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 3
West Adelaide: 3
WHERE AND WHEN: City Mazda Stadium, Saturday, May 20, 2.10pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R21, 2016, West Adelaide 13.7 (85) d by Adelaide 27.17 (179) at Berri Oval
R1, 2016, West Adelaide 7.8 (50) d by Adelaide 18.16 (124) at City Mazda Stadium
R15, 2015, West Adelaide 9.4 (58) d by Adelaide 18.13 (121) at City Mazda Stadium
R3, 2015, West Adelaide 15.13 (103) d Adelaide 11.8 (74) at City Mazda Stadium
R12, 2014, West Adelaide 5.11 (41) by Adelaide 4.11 (35) at City Mazda Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The SANFL Crows notched their biggest score ever the last time they met West Adelaide, kicking 27.17 (179) at Berri Oval late last season. Riley Knight, Jonathon Beech and Dylan Schoenmakers all kicked four goals in the 94-point victory.
2. Ironically, Adelaide’s lowest SANFL score was also against the Bloods. The Crows managed just 4.11 (35) in wet conditions in Round 12, 2014.
3. Crows development player Lachlan Murphy has impressed in defence in his first season of senior footy and is ranked equal-seventh in the SANFL for rebound 50ms (20).
4. West Adelaide premiership coach Mark Mickan played 37 AFL games with Adelaide and won the inaugural Crows Club Champion award in 1991.
5. Adelaide and West Adelaide are the two lowest scoring teams in the SANFL after five rounds, although the SANFL Crows rank third in the competition for inside 50ms. The Bloods are last in this statistic.
6. The SANFL Crows are seventh on the SANFL ladder one win and percentage outside the top five. West Adelaide is 10th and without a victory so far this season.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Jonathon Beech
Promoted onto Adelaide’s senior list last month, Beech is closer than ever to achieving his dream of playing AFL football. The West Adelaide premiership player torched his former side in both meetings last season, kicking seven goals straight across the two games. Selection could be interesting over the coming weeks as Adelaide’s AFL side looks to recapture its winning form. Beech needs another big performance this weekend at his old stomping ground to ensure he stays in the hunt for a senior debut.
