FRESH from a remarkable comeback against Richmond last weekend, North Melbourne has a real opportunity to cement its place inside the top eight against a rollercoaster-riding Adelaide outfit. The Crows continued their up and down season last week with a loss to Fremantle, but their record in Adelaide against the Kangaroos is sensational. Crows fans will hope another week of soul searching at West Lakes will see their side hit form, but with a finals berth in sight, the Roos will be hard to stop.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday June 14, 7.10pm ACST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R20, 2013, Adelaide 11.13 (79) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at AAMI Stadium
R9, 2013, Adelaide 18.17 (125) d North Melbourne 19.10 (124) at Etihad Stadium
R13, 2012, North Melbourne 17.19 (121) d Adelaide 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium
R11, 2011, North Melbourne 18.7 (115) d Adelaide 10.8 (68) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2010, North Melbourne 12.12 (84) d Adelaide 11.9 (75) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. In Adelaide’s home record against North Melbourne is outstanding; it's won 11 games to six including the past six. The Kangaroos haven’t defeated the Crows in Adelaide since 2003.
2. In saying that, North Melbourne is undefeated interstate this season, beating the Sydney Swans at the SCG and West Coast and Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.
3. No team has used the interchange more in 2014 than the Crows with a total of 1266 rotations at 113 a game while the Kangaroos are at the opposite end of the table, 17th with 1142 rotations at 103 a game.
4. North Melbourne has struggled to mark the ball inside 50 this season and are ranked second-last averaging just 8.7 a game; the Crows are 10th at 10.2 a game.
5. The Crows' biggest win over the Kangaroos is 73 points in round 24, 1991 at Football Park. North’s biggest win over Adelaide is 80 points in round 12, 1994 at Princes Park.
6. Incredibly, North Melbourne's oldest player, the 36-year-old Brent Harvey, is also its highest rated in the Official AFL Player Ratings at No.5 overall. He is also the best midfielder-forward in the game, ahead of Cyril Rioli and Steve Johnson.
Prediction: Adelaide by 17 points.
