SUMMARY
History will be made when Adelaide plays its maiden SANFL final on Saturday at Adelaide Oval against Central District. It’ll be the first time in three seasons that the SANFL Crows feature in the major round and the team’s first match at Adelaide Oval. The Crows will need to rebound after a disappointing showing against South Adelaide in the final round of the home and away season. The likely inclusion of Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Paul Seedsman will help Adelaide’s cause in battling the blue-collar Bulldogs midfield. Centrals dispatched West Adelaide comfortably last weekend and have won three of their past four games, setting up a tantalising opening to the 2016 SANFL finals series.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 1
Central District: 5
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, September 3, 12.10pm 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)
RADIO BROADCAST INFO: Live on FIVEaa, LifeFM and ABC radio
LAST FIVE TIMES
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
R10, 2014, Central District 10.11 (71) d Adelaide 9.11 (65) at Playford Alive Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. Central District boasts a strong recent record against the SANFL Crows. The Bulldogs have won their last five matches against Adelaide, and handed the Club its equal-worst SANFL loss in the last meeting between the two teams in Round 13.
2. Wayne Milera Junior kicked three goals for Central District in last year’s SANFL Semi-Final win over Port Adelaide. The young gun will confront his former team for just the second time this Saturday.
3. Adelaide’s Jonathon Beech is one of the form players in the SANFL at the moment. Beech has averaged 23 possessions, eight marks and five inside 50ms per game since Round 18. He’s also kicked six goals from his past three games.
4. Both Adelaide and Central District are among the top four SANFL teams for goals per inside 50m. The Bulldogs kick a major from 30 per cent of all entries, while Adelaide converts 29 per cent of forward forays into goals.
5. Bulldogs youngster Chris Jansen leads the SANFL for total disposals (511). Adelaide’s Cam Ellis-Yolmen is ranked sixth (459) in the statistic despite missing two matches.
6. It’s the second season in a row that Central District has finished the minor round in fifth place. Last year, The Bulldogs defeated Norwood and Port Adelaide to confront eventual premiers West Adelaide in the Preliminary Final.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Crows fans
Adelaide’s senior side is out of action this weekend with the AFL post-season bye, giving Crows fans the perfect opportunity to witness history and support the SANFL Crows in their first ever finals campaign. Adelaide Oval Football Members, Essential Crows Members, and SACA Members all gain free entry to Weeks 1-3 of the SANFL Finals, while kids under 18 are also free. It’s a fantastic chance for Crows fans to catch a glimpse of the Club’s next generation of players at South Australia’s home of football.
