Adelaide’s recent form: LWLLW

Recent results against West Coast:
Round nine, 2008, West Coast 14.13 (97) d Adelaide 5.17 (47), Subiaco Oval
Round two, 2008, Adelaide 21.7 (133) d West Coast 8.9 (57), AAMI Stadium
Round 13, 2007, West Coast 14.11 (95) d Adelaide 10.14 (74), AAMI Stadium
Preliminary Final, 2006, West Coast 11.19 (85) d Adelaide 11.9 (75), AAMI Stadium
Round 17, 2006, West Coast 26.9 (165) d Adelaide 12.11 (83), Subiaco Oval

Medical room          
Adelaide
David Mackay (hamstring) – test
Patrick Dangerfield (back) – test
Shaun McKernan (arm) – test
Brett Burton (corked glute) – 1 week
Jarrhan Jacky (hamstring) – 1 week
Nick Gill (ankle) – 2 weeks
Nathan Bock (heel) – indefinite
Brad Moran (knee) – indefinite
James Moss (hip) – indefinite
Brodie Martin (knee) – season
Chris Schmidt (shoulder) – season

West Coast
Brett Jones (thigh) – test
Ashley Hansen (hip) – test
Beau Waters (elbow) – season
Luke Shuey (leg) – season
Daniel Kerr (adductor) – season
Dean Cox (groin) – season
Adam Cockie (collarbone) – season
Mark Nicoski (back) – season
Mitch Brown (metatarsal) – season
Chris Masten (knee) – season

SUMMARY

Adelaide has booked its ticket to September and now it’s time to determine the club’s destination for the first week of finals.

 

Last weekend’s come from behind win over Hawthorn ensured the Crows will finish no lower than seventh at the end of the minor round, but only fourth, fifth or sixth position will guarantee them an invaluable home final.

Standing in Adelaide’s way is bogey side West Coast.

The Eagles are without stars Dean Cox and Daniel Kerr, but ironically have played some of their best football in the pair’s absence.

West Coast has won its past three games by an average of 23 points and also conquered its fear of travelling with a thrilling victory over the fourth-placed Western Bulldogs at Docklands in round 14.

Adelaide has beaten the Eagles just twice in the past 10 meetings, but the club is hopeful a new-look squad can help eradicate the demons of the past.

Key match-up
Bernie Vince v Adam Selwood
It’ll be interesting to see just who West Coast coach John Worsfold deems to be the most dangerous Crow. Scott Thompson has been attracting a tag most weeks, but St Kilda coach Ross Lyon singled-out Vince for some special attention in round 16. Vince has picked up 53 more disposals than any other Adelaide player and also leads the club in kicks. Vince amassed 30-plus possessions for the sixth time this season in the win over Hawthorn and could attract a tag from Adam Selwood or Patrick McGinnity this week. Andrew McLeod is another player benefiting from some newfound freedom and will no doubt be on West Coast’s radar.

Kick it to me
Trent ‘Rowdy’ Hentschel exceeded expectations last weekend with an influential four-goal performance. He now appears ready and able to resume a promising AFL career, which was threatened by a horrific knee injury almost three years ago. Hentschel hauled in six marks to go with 14 possessions and also brought his teammates into the game through his renowned football smarts. A few more strong performances will help secure his future, as he is out of contract at season’s end.

Somebody stop me
Mark LeCras has continued his rise as one of the premier small forwards in the competition with a standout season. LeCras broke into the West Coast side with three goals against Essendon in round 12 last year and has not looked back since, booting 51 goals this year (nine more than any Crow) to be equal-fifth in the Coleman Medal race. The Eagles’ next best goalkicker has only recorded 28 goals for the season, so Adelaide’s ability to stop LeCras should go a long way towards deciding the game.

At the selection table
Nathan Bock and Brett Burton will each spend another week on the sidelines, but young duo Patrick Dangerfield and David Mackay are a chance to return. Forward Taylor Walker responded to his omission with five goals from 20 possessions and 11 marks, but is likely to spend another week in the SANFL. Myke Cook continues to impress in the local league and will be joined at South Adelaide by Shaun McKernan, who has recovered from a broken arm.

It’s not generally known that...
The Crows have never had two players kick 50 goals or more in the same season. Jason Porplyzia and Kurt Tippett need another eight goals each to achieve this feat. 

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.