In his seven games, Brodie Smith is ranked No.1 in the AFL for metres gained (3,896 metres).
Veteran defender Brent Reilly is set to play his 200th game this week. He will become the 13th Crow to reach the milestone.
Adelaide’s last win over Collingwood was at the MCG in Round One, 2009, in Taylor Walker and Jared Petrenko’s AFL debuts. However, the six matches since have been relatively close, decided by an average of 21 points including two Magpie wins by less than a goal.
Walker is set to play his first AFL game since seriously injuring his knee against Carlton at the MCG in Round Five last season. On Thursday, it will be 384 days since the star forward’s last AFL match.
Tony Modra holds the record for most Crows goals in a game against Collingwood. Modra slotted eight at Victoria Park in Round Six, 1996.
The Adelaide attendance record between these sides is 48,522 in Round 22, 1993 at AAMIStadium.
Prior to the bye last weekend, the Pies had the No.1 kick-to-handball ratio (1.48) in the competition. They also like to win the hard ball, with 40.2 per cent of their possessions being contested – ranked No.4 in the AFL. In contrast, Collingwood is ranked 14th in uncontested possession. They’re also fourth in tackles (not including Round Eight bye), averaging 72.9 per game.
The blockbuster clash at Adelaide Oval will be the first night game at the redeveloped venue. It will be Adelaide’s first ‘home’ Thursday night fixture. The Club also played on Thursday night against Geelong at Simonds Stadium in Round One.
Since dropping two of their opening three games, the Magpies have won their last four matches. The Crows have won three of their last four. Both teams had a bye last weekend.
Prior to the bye weekend, Scott Pendlebury (ninth) and Dane Sawn (15th) were both top 20 in the League for total disposals. Dayne Beams is Collingwood’s best clearance player – ranked 5th in the competition.
In his seven games, Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs is fourth in the League for hit-outs to advantage (62).
Small forward Jamie Elliott (17) is Collingwood’s leading goalkicker this season. Midfielder Beams has slotted 10 goals, while spearhead Travis Cloke has eight. Josh Jenkins (13) leads the way for Adelaide.
In his seven games this season, Patrick Dangerfield is ranked No.3 in the League for contested possessions (105) and third in hard-ball gets (47).
Two former Crows captains share the record for most disposals in a game against Collingwood. Chris McDermott amassed 39 possessions in Round 24, 1992. Ten years later, Simon Goodwin also racked up 39 (Round 14, 2002).