SUMMARY

Gold Coast broke its winless start to the season against the Brisbane Lions last week, but the Crows promise to be a much stiffer examination. The Suns have had a tumultuous week, dropping Harley Bennell, Trent McKenzie and Brandon Matera for off-field ill-discipline, and adding Jack Martin (ankle) to an already super-talented injury list. Meanwhile the Crows have come back to earth with a thud after winning their first three games, losing badly to the Western Bulldogs and succumbing to arch-rivals Port Adelaide in last week's Showdown. A depleted Gold Coast will give some cheek, but if the Crows are serious about 2015, they must win.

WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday, May 9, 5.10pm
 AEST

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES

R11, 2014, Adelaide 16.13 (109) d Gold Coast 11.11 (77) at Adelaide Oval
R14, 2013, Adelaide 16.15 (111) d Gold Coast 11.17 (83) at Metricon Stadium
R23, 2012, Adelaide 22.21 (153) d Gold Coast 9.8 (62) at AAMI Stadium
R1, 2012, Adelaide 19.23 (137) d Gold Coast 10.8 (68) at Metricon Stadium
R22, 2011, Adelaide 18.17 (125) d Gold Coast 9.10 (64) at Metricon Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. In the 2014 clash, the Crows had more disposals, marks and scoring shots, but Gold Coast took the ball inside 50 more. Taylor Walker was the difference, kicking five goals and collecting the three Brownlow votes.

2. Despite a slow start to the season the Suns have been impressive around the stoppages, ranked third in clearances with 45.4 a game. Dion Prestia (first) and Michael Rischitelli (sixth) are both ranked in the top-10.

3. Adelaide has won all six matches against Gold Coast, including the first four by more than 50 points. The Crows average 127 points a game compared to the Suns' 71.

4. Gold Coast have taken the fewest marks of any team so far in 2015, averaging 67.8 a game. Adelaide is ranked fifth with 93.6 per game.

5. In the first three weeks of the season the Crows averaged 103 points for and just 60 against. The past two weeks it has plummeted to 91 for and 115 against.

6. Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs has moved to a career-high No.22 overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings. He trails only North Melbourne's Todd Goldstein (No.11) in the ruck department.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …

Taylor Walker. After a dream start as skipper, things have got a little tougher for Tex in recent weeks. He kicked 11 goals in the opening three weeks, but has just three in the past fortnight, including missing a couple of very gettable shots against the Power. He kicked five against the Suns in their only match last year and a similar output will make the Crows hard to beat.

PREDICTION: Adelaide by 24 points