SUMMARY
There aren't many clouds in the winter sky above Punt Road, with the Tigers sitting comfortably on top of the ladder after asserting their dominance over Sydney on Thursday night. With five games left at the MCG, where they haven't lost since round 13 last year, they are in the box seat to be there at the season's end. Their injury list remains short, although Reece Conca is a loss after his impressive transition to the midfield this season. They're a more threatening proposition than the Crows faced back in round two, which makes this game an even bigger challenge for Don Pyke's men. The Crows will go in with confidence after reinvigorating their season with a win over West Coast, but face a tough run to the finals. It's their last chance to play at the MCG this season and Taylor Walker seems to have found form at the right time.
WHERE AND WHEN: the MCG, Friday, July 6, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R2, 2018, Adelaide Crows 18.10 (118) d Richmond 12.10 (82) at Adelaide Oval
GF, 2017, Richmond 16.12 (108) d Adelaide Crows 8.12 (60) at the MCG
R6, 2017, Adelaide Crows 21.14 (140) d Richmond 10.4 (64) at Adelaide Oval
R3, 2016, Adelaide Crows 19.14 (128) d Richmond 13.14 (92) at Etihad Stadium
R19, 2015, Adelaide Crows 11.22 (88) d Richmond 8.4 (52) at Adelaide Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. In round two, the Crows blew away the Tigers after half-time. They led by 12 points at the break before kicking seven goals to three in the second half to win by 36.
2. Josh Jenkins was on top of Alex Rance in the first half, kicking four goals and dominating in one-on-one contests before the All Australian defender fought back to keep the Crows' forward to just one more to full time.
3. The Tigers continue to be miserly in defence this season, which has them ranked second for the fewest points conceded. The average in the competition is 71 points, with the Crows conceding 82 per game.
4. The Crows have had the better of the Tigers recently, having won four of the last five head-to-heads with an average winning margin of 46 points. But, the Tigers still have bragging rights, having triumphed in last year's Grand Final.
5. The Crows go in ranked second in contested possessions with an average of 155.4, ahead of the Tigers, who are ninth. But there isn't much separating them on the outside; the Crows are 13th and the Tigers 14th in uncontested possessions.
6. Kane Lambert continues to shine this season as a forward flanker, which is reflected in his rise in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. In round one, he was 142nd overall and goes into this round at No.55 after a steady season-long ascent.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Skipper Taylor Walker was a major factor in the Crows' win over the Eagles as he led from the front with three second-half goals. He took a season-high 10 marks and got his hands to 22 disposals as he drove his team to victory. The question remains, can he back it up or will the ghosts of the Grand Final loss linger for him at the MCG?
PREDICTION: Richmond by 12 points
