SUMMARY
It’s been a contrasting start to the season for Adelaide and Central District. The SANFL Crows have emerged with two hard-fought victories over Sturt and South Adelaide to be one of three undefeated sides at the top of the SANFL ladder. Adelaide’s young SANFL squad has shown great maturity to win both games by a combined total of just eight points. The Bulldogs find themselves in unfamiliar territory at the bottom of the table without a win so far this season. But it’s a dangerous game to underestimate the Dogs, particularly at home. New recruits John Butcher and Jack Hannath have impressed while onballer Travis Schiller has continued where he left off from last year. It’s a long way back from 0-3, so expect a strong response from Roy Laird’s men this weekend.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 2
Central District: 5
WHERE AND WHEN: My Money House Oval, Saturday, April 22, 2.40pm ACST
TV BROADCAST INFO: Live on Channel 7 Adelaide and streamed via 7live.com.au (Interstate fans can set their location to Adelaide to tune in)
LAST FIVE TIMES
EF, 2016, Adelaide 19.11 (125) d Central District 7.11 (53) at Adelaide Oval
R13, 2016, Central District 17.8 (110) d Adelaide 8.7 (55) at My Money House Oval
R9, 2016, Central District 15.9 (99) d Adelaide 12.4 (76) at My Money House Oval
R13, 2015, Central District 12.4 (76) d Adelaide 6.5 (41) at Playford Alive Oval
R8, 2015, Central District 11.7 (73) d Adelaide 8.5 (53) at Playford Alive Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Crows made history by crushing the Bulldogs by 72 points in last year’s Elimination Final in what was the Club’s first ever SANFL finals appearance. Harry Dear and Troy Menzel kicked three goals each while Cam Ellis-Yolmen had 30 possessions and 11 tackles.
2. Despite last year’s finals loss, Central District still boasts the best record of any SANFL club against Adelaide. The Bulldogs lead the head-to-head ledger 5-2.
3. Both clubs have been off-target in front of goal this season. The Bulldogs are the most inaccurate team in the SANFL with a conversion rate of 49 per cent, while Adelaide is only ranked seventh at 58 per cent goalkicking accuracy.
4. Central District is without a win from the opening two rounds and sits at the foot of the SANFL ladder. Adelaide is in third spot behind fellow undefeated teams Woodville West-Torrens and Glenelg.
5. The ruck duel will be a battle of interest this week. In-form Crow Reilly O’Brien is third in the League for hit-outs (59) and taps to advantage (19) but Centals duo Darcy Fort and former Fremantle big man Jack Hannath are also top seven in both statistics.
6. Brad Crouch has had the ball on a string through the opening two rounds of SANFL action. He leads the League for total disposals (71), contested possessions (40), hard-ball gets (20), and clearances (18). He’ll be targeting another big SANFL performance if he’s not included into the senior side this week, otherwise Adelaide's young SANFL midfielders will need to step up in his absence.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Harry Dear
Dear was in ominous touch in last week’s win over South Adelaide, but could’ve had an even bigger day out if not for some wayward goalkicking. The 20-year-old kicked five behinds before registering his first goal of the game and finished with 3.7 next to his name. His effort and aggression could not be faulted, however. With an injury-interrupted start to the season for many Crows forwards and Mitch McGovern set for an extended stint on the sidelines, Dear could grasp an AFL opportunity if he can continue to build on last week’s promising performance.
