SUMMARY
The Adelaide Oval season opener promises to be a huge game for both teams and one that will set the tone for the early part of their respective years. Taylor Walker will lead the Crows as captain for the first time in the premiership season, while mature recruits Jarrad Waite and Shaun Higgins will get their opportunity to convert pre-season form into the sort that can help the Kangaroos catch their opposition on the hop.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Sunday April 5, 2.50pm ACST
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
Round 22, 2014, North Melbourne 14.17 (101) d Adelaide 13.16 (94) at Blundstone Arena
Round 13, 2014, Adelaide 16.13 (109) d North Melbourne 10.13 (73) at Adelaide Oval
Round 20, 2013, Adelaide 11.13 (79) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at AAMI Stadium
Round 9, 2013, Adelaide 18.17 (125) d North Melbourne 19.10 (124) at Etihad Stadium
Round 13, 2012, North Melbourne 17.19 (121) d Adelaide 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. It was one win each in 2014 between the teams; in the Crows' comfortable win at Adelaide Oval, Sam Kerridge booted four goals and Brodie Smith had 29 possessions. In the Kangaroos' narrow win at Blundstone Arena, Jack Ziebell starred with four goals from 25 possessions.
2. Adelaide was an efficient scoring team in 2014 and ranked second for disposals per goal (26), while North Melbourne wasn’t as good, ranked 10th (28).
3. The Crows have won three of the past four clashes between these sides, but since 2010 it’s four wins to three in the Kangaroos' favour. Four of those games have been decided by a single-figure margin.
4. During the 2014 home and away season no team took more contested marks than Adelaide (11 a game); North Melbourne was ranked sixth averaging 10 a game.
5. The Crows' first season at their new home ground was mixed, winning six of 12 games at Adelaide Oval; they lost three of their last four. The Kangaroos won six of nine games interstate in 2014, which included two 'home' games at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.
6. His future remains uncertain but there's no doubting Patrick Dangerfield is Adelaide's best player according to the Official AFL Player Ratings. He's ranked fourth in the League ahead of seventh-placed Rory Sloane.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … In his first game for premiership points as skipper Taylor Walker will want a strong start to lead his side to victory. He currently sits on 197 career goals, so booting his 200th early in the game would be a perfect way to spark his teammates.
PREDICTION: Adelaide by 23 points
