SUMMARY
The Crows have won just two of their past five matches, so the home side would love a big scalp this week and the in-form Giants present them with just that. GWS haven't had much luck keeping their key defenders healthy so Josh Jenkins, Taylor Walker and Tom Lynch might give the visitors some headaches if Adelaide's midfield can give them enough opportunities. Eddie Betts needs to recapture his best at ground level and his tackling also needs to lift, especially with the Giants' small defenders Heath Shaw, Nathan Wilson and Zac Williams providing plenty of drive this season. The battle between ruckmen Sam Jacobs and Shane Mumford should be a beauty, while tough onballers Rory Sloane and Callan Ward will no doubt relish their contest whenever they get a chance to attack each other at stoppages.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, 7.10pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R8, 2015, Greater Western Sydney 16.12 (108) d Adelaide 12.12 (84) at Spotless Stadium
R16, 2014, Adelaide 20.20 (140) d Greater Western Sydney 9.18 (72) at Spotless Stadium
R5, 2014, Adelaide 21.11 (137) d Greater Western Sydney 10.12 (72) at Adelaide Oval
R7, 2013, Adelaide 29.13 (187) d Greater Western Sydney 7.10 (52) at Spotless Stadium
R16, 2012, Adelaide 27.16 (178) d Greater Western Sydney 8.11 (59) at Spotless Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Disillusioned forward Cam McCarthy booted four goals and Toby Greene added three for GWS the last time these teams played, while former Giant Adam Treloar had 35 disposals and Dylan Shiel 34. Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts kicked seven goals between them for the Crows.
2. This will be a battle between the two highest-scoring sides so far in 2016, with Adelaide ranked first averaging 113 points per game, just ahead of the Giants on 112 points.
3. Adelaide lost to the Giants for the first time in 2015; previously the Crows had dominated the head-to-head record, winning five consecutive games by an average margin of 87 points and kicking 147 points per game.
4. The Giants continue to be the number one clearance side in 2016 averaging 41.2 per game, and they’re also the number one centre clearance side, while Adelaide is equal third in that area.
5. GWS is yet to win at Adelaide Oval after losing two previous games at the venue. So far in 2016 the Giants are four wins from five games outside of Sydney.
6. Adelaide midfielder Rory Sloane is his side's highest-ranked player at number eight in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, and he's set for a great battle with the top Giant Callan Ward, who is ranked 21st.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Eddie Betts
After a brilliant start to the season, Betts has only kicked two goals from his past three matches and the Crows will need to him to fire against the Giants. He's likely to have fellow 2015 All Australian Heath Shaw as his opponent, who racked up 38 possessions last week, so Betts' pressure inside his forward 50 will be crucial to his side's chances.
AFL.COM.AU PREDICTION: Adelaide by 13 points
