Round two: Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
Saturday, April 7 at 7:10pm (SA time)
AAMI Stadium
Out of action
Ryan Griffen (finger) - available
Dale Morris (leg) - indefinite
Tom Williams (shoulder) - 13 weeks
Brodie Moles (ankle) - 2-3 weeks
Christian Howard (knee) - TBA
Recent form
Round one: Western Bulldogs 12.15 (87) lost to West Coast 21.10 (136), Etihad Stadium
Recent form against Adelaide
Round 13, 2011 - Western Bulldogs 14.16 (100) d Adelaide 10.10 (70), Etihad Stadium
Round 19, 2010 - Western Bulldogs 8.13 (61) d Adelaide 7.11 (53), AAMI Stadium
Round five, 2010 - Western Bulldogs 18.13 (121) d Adelaide 10.12 (72), Etihad Stadium
Round seven, 2009 - Western Bulldogs 17.16 (118) d Adelaide 12.14 (86), AAMI Stadium
Round 22, 2008 - Adelaide 10.16 (76) d Western Bulldogs 9.13 (67), AAMI Stadium
Team:
INS: Ryan Griffen, Nathan Djerrkura
OUTS: Christian Howard (knee), Mitch Wallis (omit)
B: Robert Murphy, Brian Lake, Dylan Addison
HB: Ryan Hargrave, Lukas Markovic, Easton Wood
C: Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Ryan Griffen
HF: Luke Dalhaus, Liam Jones, Adam Cooney
F: Daniel Giansiracusa, Will Minston, Shaun Higgins
Foll: Jordan Roughead, Thomas Liberatore, Liam Picken
I/C: Jarrad Grant, Nathan Djerrkura, Tory Dickson, Clay Smith
Emergencies: Ayce Cordy, Patrick Veszpremi, Mitch Wallis
Stats that matter
Daniel Giansiracusa has averaged 25 disposals and two goals in his past four games against the Crows. He starred in the most recent meeting between the teams in round 13 last season, finishing with four goals from 18 disposals. Ryan Griffen, who will return from a fractured finger on Saturday night, was also prolific kicking two goals from 27 possessions.
First-round draft pick Clay Smith starred on debut for the Dogs last week. The tough and skilful onballer slotted four goals before being substituted out of the game after half-time.
The Dogs ranked second in the competition for clearances in round one (45). Adelaide won 39 clearances in its opening-round win over Gold Coast.
Rory Sloane escaped without injury in round one for the first time since joining the Crows. Last year, Sloane sustained a fractured jaw and thumb in Adelaide’s season-opener against Hawthorn. In 2009 (knee) and 2010 (ankle) he was injured playing for North Adelaide.
Rick Henderson was a shining light in the Crows’ loss to the Bulldogs last season. In a new role as a wingman, Henderson collected 28 disposals and nine marks, providing plenty of offensive drive.
Only one Adelaide player, Kurt Tippett (three goals) kicked multiple goals in the round 13 clash last season. After starting the season in imposing fashion, Tippett and Taylor Walker will be hoping to stretch the Dogs defence, which is without injured pair Dale Morris and Tom Williams, this week.
The Bulldogs have taken the four points against Adelaide in their past two trips to AAMI Stadium.
News bites
"Matthew Boyd has long laboured on his kicking. Yesterday, the Bulldogs captain and his coach admitted he had more work to do yet after a game in which he had 20 kicks but only six got to where he wanted them to go."
Griffen tipped to glove up for Crows clash
“Ryan Griffen appears a certain - and huge - inclusion after missing round one with a broken finger, while Nathan Djerrkura will again come under consideration after some terrific VFL form. As will Ayce Cordy, who was unlucky to be overlooked last week but responded with four first-half goals for Williamstown. Lindsay Gilbee got through his first game of the season and could soon be in line for promotion, particularly with Christian Howard sidelined.”
“Injured Western Bulldogs defender Tom Williams has endorsed his fellow key back Lukas Markovic to take it up to the in-form Adelaide forwards in their match at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night. Markovic had a tough time during the Bulldogs' loss against West Coast at the weekend, with Eagles full-forward Josh Kennedy kicking four goals on him in the first quarter.”
“Western Bulldogs fans were shocked on Tuesday morning when Clay Smith was overlooked for the round one NAB AFL Rising Star nomination, but Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Cross says Smith's time will come.”
“The Dogs were disappointed Clay Smith was overlooked despite four goals in his debut game, with football manager James Fantasia speaking to AFL officials about the nomination process.”
