SUMMARY
It's now or never for North Melbourne. After a woeful third quarter that cost the Kangaroos' victory against the Western Bulldogs last Sunday, they must beat the Crows to keep their finals chances alive. The Kangaroos haven't won in Adelaide since 2011. Like the Bulldogs, the Crows have little to play for apart from pride. The Crows are looking more like the side that reached last year's Grand Final, but left themselves too much to do. Brodie Smith's return in the past couple of weeks has been a bright spot, with the attacking half-back showing how much he's been missed this year. Skipper Taylor Walker will miss the rest of the season having accepted a two-game suspension. Shaun Higgins, Ben Brown and Majak Daw are in great form, but the Kangaroos need more from their second-tier players. The Crows will be keen to give their supporters something to cheer about in their final home game of the season.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Sunday, August 19, 4.10pm ACST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R7, 2017, North Melbourne 22.13 (145) d Adelaide 13.8 (86) at Blundstone Arena
1EF, 2016, Adelaide 21.15 (141) d North Melbourne 12.7 (79) at Adelaide Oval
R14, 2016, Adelaide 12.28 (100) d North Melbourne 10.7 (67) at Adelaide Oval
R1, 2016, North Melbourne 16.11 (107) d Adelaide 14.13 (97) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2015, Adelaide 21.14 (140) d North Melbourne 9.9 (63) at Adelaide Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. An incredible 10-goals-to-none first quarter was the catalyst for the Kangaroos' huge upset over the Crows in round seven last year in Hobart. Jarrad Waite was the star, finishing with 22 disposals, eight marks and six goals.
2. With Ben Brown leading the way, North Melbourne is sixth in the League for goals kicked this season, with 257. In contrast, the Crows are 12th with 241 – way down on the 333 goals they had kicked at the same time last season.
3. The Crows have the edge 4-3 in meetings between the two clubs since 2014. However, they're generally not always close games, with three of those decided by more than 50 points.
4. Both sides have struggled to mark the ball inside 50 this season. The Kangaroos are equal 13th with 10.6 inside 50 marks per game, while the Crows are 16th (9.1).
5. The Crows have never lost to the Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval, winning all four games at the ground by an average of 52 points. The Kangaroos have lost their past seven games in Adelaide and haven't won in the City of Churches since 2011.
6. Majak Daw's success since being switched to defence is illustrated in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Daw has averaged the fourth-most player ratings points per game for key defenders this season. His 12.1 per game is behind only Harris Andrews (14.3), Jeremy McGovern (14.2) and Alex Rance (12.7).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Kangaroos spearhead Ben Brown was a lock for the Coleman Medal until Richmond star Jack Riewoldt put 10 goals past Gold Coast to throw the race wide open. Brown is level with Riewoldt on 58 goals heading into the round and will know what he needs to do when he runs out on to Adelaide Oval in the Sunday twilight fixture.
PREDICTION: Adelaide by 11 points
