Adelaide’s recent form: WLWLWLLL

Recent results against Carlton:
Round 18, 2008, Adelaide 13.16 (94) d Carlton 12.14 (86), AAMI
Round six, 2008, Adelaide 16.15 (111) d Carlton 11.15 (81), MCG
Round nine, 2007, Adelaide 15.15 (105) d Carlton 12.14 (86), TD
Round nine, 2006, Adelaide 18.16 (124) d Carlton 9.6 (60), AAMI
Round 10, 2005, Adelaide 9.17 (71) d Carlton 8.9 (57), AAMI

Medical room          
Adelaide:
Nathan Bock (hamstring) – 1 week
Tom Lee (knee) – 4-6 weeks
Brett Burton (knee) - indefinite

Carlton:
Adam Bentick (knee) – 3 weeks
Andrew Carrazzo (finger) – 2-3 weeks
Shaun Grigg (ankle) – test
Lachie Hill (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
Sam Jacobs (foot) – 3 weeks
Chris Johnson (thigh) – 1 week
Darren Pfeiffer (shoulder) – 5 weeks
Andrew Walker (shoulder) – indefinite
Robert Warnock (foot) -3-5 weeks
Simon Wiggins (back tightness) - test

Summary
It was another third-quarter fall from grace at the Gabba last week, as the Crows watched a four-goal lead dissolve into a six-goal loss.

The visitors, much to the delight of coach Neil Craig, exhibited some awe-inspiring passages of fast ball movement in the opening half, but the intensity level dipped minutes out from the main break and the Lions mounted their comeback.

Young midfielders David Mackay and Bernie Vince (59 possessions-combined) impressed and veteran Tyson Edwards was reliable as ever, but goals were again at a premium with only three players registering multiple majors.

Carlton, on the back of skipper Chris Judd, made easy work of an undermanned Collingwood at the MCG.

Spearhead Brendan Fevola failed to trouble the scorers, but it failed to prevent the Blues marching to a 51-point victory.

The Crows boast an impressive winning streak against the Blues. Carlton hasn't tasted victory over Adelaide since beating them at AAMI Stadium in round 11, 2004.

But the former cellar-dwellers of the competition are a far more challenging proposition these days.

The Crows are yet to celebrate a win at home this season and will be keen to give new games record holder Andrew McLeod an afternoon to remember in his tribute match.

Key match-up
Michael Doughty v Chris Judd
Rob Shirley usually reserves his best games for the Blues’ superstar, but Craig is unlikely to have his first-choice tagger available for selection this week. Shirley was suspended for two weeks after an incident in the SANFL and won’t know the outcome of his appeal until Thursday.

Judd was back to his brilliant best against the Pies, finishing with 32 possessions, seven marks, eight tackles and a goal. Carlton coach Brett Ratten has hinted the Brownlow Medallist might spend more time exposing his taggers up forward and the Crows could opt for a proven half-back like Doughty over a more traditional onballer like Nathan van Berlo.

Kick it to me                    
Craig would’ve marked David Mackay’s game last week with a big A+. The super-quick midfielder not only found plenty of the ball (30 possessions), but also laid six tackles and broke the lines with his penetrating run. Mackay continued to back himself, despite the ailing scoreboard, and was rewarded with a classy goal.

Somebody stop me
Crows fans will always remember Bryce Gibbs as the father-son selection that got away, but the young Blue is carving a name for himself at Visy Park. Gibbs is averaging 27 touches and nine marks this season and, when combined with the likes of Judd and Marc Murphy, is just one member of a potentially very dangerous midfield.

At the selection table
Nathan Bock (hamstring), Trent Hentschel (knee) and Jon Griffin (hamstring) have all been ruled out as possible inclusions this week, while Scott Thompson, Nathan van Berlo and Kurt Tippett all reported soreness on Wednesday. Shirley is sweating on the outcome of his appeal to the SANFL tribunal.

It’s not generally known that...
Dashing midfielder Mackay racked up 10 running bounces last week to sit fifth in the AFL overall with 26 for the season.

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