SUMMARY
A win would be a welcome boost for either Adelaide or Norwood when the two teams collide at Coopers Stadium on Sunday. Adelaide’s season has stalled somewhat following a fast start to the year. The SANFL Crows have won just one of their past four games, but have been in the hunt in every contest, losing all three by 14 points or less. The Parade hasn’t been kind to the Crows in the past, but Adelaide did win its most recent game at the venue late last season. Meanwhile, the Redlegs find themselves in an unfamiliar position in ninth spot on the SANFL ladder and must start pegging back the wins to have any shot at a finals appearance. Injuries have cruelled Norwood in recent times, with the Redlegs losing four of their last five matches by an average of 39 points. An against-the-odds victory this week could be just the spark required to get the home side’s season back on track.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 1
Norwood: 3
WHERE AND WHEN: Coopers Stadium, Sunday, June 12, 1.40pm ACST
BROADCAST INFO: Live on 7Mate. Coverage begins from 1.30pm ACST.
LAST FOUR TIMES
R16, 2015, Norwood 8.17 (65) d by Adelaide 14.10 (94) at Coopers Stadium
R6, 2015, Norwood 12.15 (87) d Adelaide 6.9 (45) at Coopers Stadium
R18, 2014, Norwood 18.12 (120) d Adelaide 8.17 (65) at Coopers Stadium
R7, 2014, Norwood 16.9 (105) d Adelaide 11.8 (74) at Coopers Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Mitch McGovern slotted four goals and Nathan van Berlo amassed a team-high 27 disposals as Adelaide defeated Norwood for the first time in the previous meeting between the two teams in Round 16 last season.
2. Cam Ellis-Yolmen is ranked third in the SANFL for contested possessions (113). Norwood onballer Tim Webber is the Redlegs’ leading player in the statistic, ranked 18th overall (79).
3. Norwood handed Adelaide its worst ever SANFL defeat in the final round of Season 2014, with the eventual premiers downing the SANFL Crows by 55 points in Round 18.
4. Former Crow Lewis Johnston sits fourth in the Ken Farmer Medal race with 19 goals from eight games, including two five-goal hauls. He’s kicked at least one major in every game this season.
5. The ruck battle will be critical to this week’s result. Norwood’s Sam Baulderstone ranks second in the SANFL in both hit-outs and hit-outs to advantage. Adelaide’s Reilly O’Brien is fourth for total hit-outs and is the No.1 player in the competition for taps to advantage.
6. Norwood is coming off its heaviest defeat of the season. The Redlegs lost to Woodville-West Torrens by 65 points at Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval last round and have only won one of their last five matches.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Harrison Wigg
The 19-year-old continues to develop his midfield craft at SANFL level after starting his Crows career as a rebounding defender. Wigg, who’s worked closely with senior teammate Rory Sloane to assist his transition into the midfield this year, collected a career-best 27 disposals against Sturt’s hardened midfield last round following on from a 25-possession effort against his former club North Adelaide in wet conditions. Another strong display against the Redlegs could see the left-footer put his name up for an AFL debut in the second half of the season.
