SUMMARY
There’s still a long way to go, but a win for the Crows or Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon would go a long way to cementing a finals berth for either side. Adelaide and Central District sit fourth and fifth respectively on the SANFL table locked on 12 points apiece heading into Round 13. This week’s victor will move three games clear of sixth place – a handy buffer in anyone’s language as we move into the second half of the season - while the loser will become the prime target of the chasing pack. Refreshed after the mid-season bye, Adelaide will be hunting consecutive wins for the first time in more than two months against a club that has had the Crows’ measure in recent times.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 1
Central District: 4
WHERE AND WHEN: My Money House Oval, Saturday, June 25, 2.10pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
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
R3, 2014, Central District 9.7 (61) d by Adelaide 16.17 (113) at Playford Alive Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. Adelaide confronted the Bulldogs last month at Elizabeth, giving up five goals in the final term to fall by 23 points. Trent Heffernan kicked three goals while Brad Crouch amassed 37 possessions for the Crows.
2. In a quirk of the fixture, the Round Nine clash was also the last time Central District played at home, having travelled as the away side for the last three rounds. The Bulldogs stay at Elizabeth for their next three games.
3. After achieving its first SANFL victory against Central District in Round Three, 2014, Adelaide has failed to defeat the Bulldogs in all four meetings between the two sides since. The Crows’ 1-4 win-loss figure against Centrals is the Club’s worst head-to-head SANFL record against any side.
4. Both teams enter Saturday’s clash following comfortable wins against Norwood. Adelaide downed the Redlegs by 47 points in Round 11 before breaking for a bye last weekend, while Central District enjoyed a 32-point victory at Coopers Stadium last Saturday afternoon.
5. Central’s Travis Schiller is one of the form players in the competition at the moment. The tough midfielder is averaging 29 possessions a game and ranks top five in the SANFL for disposals, contested possessions and clearances. Schiller amassed 32 possessions and kicked a goal against Adelaide in Round Nine.
6. Both clubs are efficient going forward. Central District is No.1 in the SANFL for scores per inside 50, hitting the scoreboard from 50 per cent of all entries. Adelaide is third in the competition with a 48 per cent conversion rate per inside 50.
AFL Preview: Crows v Kangaroos
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Jonathon Beech
The West Adelaide premiership player started the season brilliantly, but has been held goalless in three games since Round Six – including Adelaide’s loss to Central District last month. An important link-man in Adelaide’s SANFL side, Beech recaptured some of his early-season form with 18 disposals, nine marks and two goals in the win over Norwood and will need to contribute strongly again if Adelaide is to down the Dogs at Elizabeth on Saturday.
Central District provides free secure car parking in the high school across the road from My Money House Oval at Elizabeth. The club will also be running the Bulldog Crowd Cash promotion on Saturday, with a $2,000 prize on offer for all match attendees. A free bouncy castle is also available for children.
