Head to head: Adelaide 18 wins, Richmond eight wins, no draws
Last time: Adelaide 15.12 (102) d Richmond 13.7 (85), round 14, 2009 at Gold Coast Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Adelaide
James Craig (hamstring) - 3 weeks
Patrick Dangerfield (hand) - 2 weeks
Ricky Henderson (hamstring) - 1 week
Trent Hentschel (knee) - TBC
Jarrhan Jacky (hamstring) - 4-5 weeks
Chris Knights (foot) - test
David Mackay (groin) - test
Brodie Martin (knee) - indefinite
Brad Moran (knee) - indefinite
Andy Otten (knee) - season
James Sellar (hamstring) - 2 weeks
Sam Shaw (shin) - 2 weeks
Rory Sloane (ankle) - test
Brad Symes (knee) - indefinite
Richmond
Trent Cotchin (hip) - test
Dylan Grimes (eye) - TBA
Dustin Martin (soreness) - test
Richard Tambling (hamstring) - test
Troy Taylor (knee) - TBA
FORM
Adelaide: LLLLL
Richmond: LLLLL
SUMMARY
Twelve times these two clubs have trudged off the field of battle without the points in 2010 but that's about to change for one - or both of them in the case of a draw, which might actually be a fair result.
The Crows were competitive against Port Adelaide for three quarters last week, but didn't fire a shot in a diabolical final term, while the Tigers got run over by an angry Geelong side that took out its recent frustrations out on them to the tune of 108 points. Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Richard Tambling were spared the experience of that mauling and will be handy inclusions if fit.
The Crows haven't been quite so fortunate on the injury front, but will at least be able to consider Chris Knights and David Mackay for a match that will somewhat surprisingly be an early indicator for this year's wooden spoon recipient.
PLAYER TO WATCH
It's all about the future for Crows fans now and Phil Davis has shown enough to suggest he'll be a big part of it. Adelaide has had precious few picks inside the top 10 over the journey, but the youngster's poise in a beleaguered defence suggests the Crows have nabbed a big guy they can build around.
Jack Riewoldt has played a lone hand up forward for the most part and his continued development is one of the few things keeping the Tiger faithful interested. His occasional youthful exuberance following a goal has raised a few eyebrows, but when there's not much to celebrate you take your joy where you can get it.
QUESTION MARKS
Can either team find its mojo? The spirit in both camps has been sadly lacking.
Can Damien Hardwick get his players' minds off last week's monster loss and onto the task at hand?
Is it true Neil Craig has taken to holding team meetings in the medical rooms at West Lakes?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
With the way these two teams have gone about it in 2010 this could be a nil-all draw. Neither side has come close to breaking the 100-point barrier (Richmond has been the closest with 78), so fans certainly shouldn't tune in hoping for a shootout.
Call it in the air. Tails it is. Adelaide to win a close one.
PREDICTION
Adelaide by one point
Follow James Bartold's inside view of Adelaide v Richmond at #aflcrowstigers on Twitter.com from 4.10pm Sunday or @AFL_JBartold#aflcrowstigers
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
