SUMMARY
This was already a huge game for Adelaide given its disappointing performance in last year's Grand Final, but takes on extra significance after the round one loss to Essendon. The Crows don't want to start the season 0-2, especially after seeing 2016 runners-up Sydney lose their first six games to start last year. Missing skipper Taylor Walker, forward Tom Lynch, midfielder Brad Crouch and recruit Sam Gibson, the Crows led the Bombers by 20 points at three-quarter time before being overrun in the last term. Playing in front of a parochial home crowd of more than 50,000 will be a welcome boost. The Tigers were pushed more than anyone expected by a gallant Carlton in the season opener before winning by 26 points. Their small forward line looks potent once again and Dustin Martin carried on his Brownlow Medal-winning form of last year. The Crows need to prove they've learned from the mistakes they made on Grand Final day.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Thursday, March 29, 7.20pm ACDT
LAST FIVE TIMES
GF, 2017, Richmond 16.12 (108) d Adelaide 8.12 (60) at the MCG
R6, 2017, Adelaide 21.14 (140) d Richmond 10.4 (64) at Adelaide Oval
R3, 2016, Adelaide 19.14 (128) d Richmond 13.14 (92) at Etihad Stadium
R19, 2015, Adelaide 11.22 (88) d Richmond 8.4 (52) at Adelaide Oval
R21, 2014, Richmond 10.19 (79) d Adelaide 9.15 (69) at Adelaide Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. In last year's Grand Final, the Crows had more disposals, took more marks and laid more tackles than the Tigers, but were held to their lowest score of the season. The Tigers won the inside 50s, clearances and kicked their highest score in a final since 1982.
2. The Tigers' win in the Grand Final was their first victory over the Crows since 2014, ending a three-game losing streak. The Tigers haven't beaten the Crows in back-to-back games since 2013-14.
3. The Tigers have built their success around defence. They have kept their opposition to less than 100 points in their past 11 games.
4. The Crows were dominant at Adelaide Oval last year, winning 11 of 14 games on their home deck, with eight of those by more than 50 points. The Tigers have no issue travelling outside of Victoria, winning a respectable four of their six interstate games last year.
Adelaide Oval has been a fortress for the Crows in recent times
5. If the Crows lose, it will be just the second time they've lost their first two games of a season since 2011. The Tigers are aiming to be a perfect 2-0 for the second straight year.
6. Tigers key defender Alex Rance has reached a career-high 20th overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Rance is the third highest-ranked player at the Tigers behind Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin (second overall) and Trent Cotchin (16th).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Nothing would top off the Trent Cotchin's 200th game like beating the Crows on their home deck. The skipper was an instrumental part of the Tigers' success last year and is one of the most respected leaders in the competition.
PREDICTION: Richmond by 20 points
