SUMMARY
This looms as one of the more intriguing games of the weekend. A few weeks ago Adelaide seemed to be the best team going around by a reasonable margin before losses to North Melbourne and Melbourne brought them back to earth. An 80-point win against the Brisbane Lions last Saturday indicated a return to form, but Fremantle should pose a bigger threat. The Dockers have won six of their last seven but have a percentage of 90.7, staggeringly low for a team in fifth spot. There's no denying some of the quality Ross Lyon has at his disposal though. Nat Fyfe, Lachie Neale and Bradley and Stephen Hill help form a threatening midfield, while Michael Walters is running through there with great success. However, the Crows are the No.1 side in the AFL for contested possessions, with Rory Sloane and Matt and Brad Crouch all in the top 22 in the competition for that stat.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, May 27, 7.10PM ACST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R21, 2016, Adelaide 21.16 (142) d Fremantle 11.4 (70) at Domain Stadium
R6, 2016, Adelaide 14.13 (97) d Fremantle 8.16 (64) at Adelaide Oval
R9, 2015, Fremantle 10.8 (68) d Adelaide 7.15 (57) at Adelaide Oval
R12, 2014, Fremantle 12.18 (90) d Adelaide 7.8 (50) at Domain Stadium
R18, 2013, Fremantle 11.9 (75) d Adelaide 7.11 (53) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Adelaide thrashed Fremantle all over the field the last time the sides met: disposals (455-388), tackles (81-65) and inside-50s (69-45). Eddie Betts and Josh Jenkins kicked 11 goals between them.
2. After losing their first two games the Dockers have gone 6-1, with only the Giants matching that record. In that time, their defence is ranked second, conceding only 77 points per game.
3. Adelaide and Fremantle clash for the 37th time and the Crows hold the advantage, winning 21 games to 15.
4. The Crows are ranked No.1 for contested marks, averaging 14.4 per game, while the Dockers are sixth at an average of 11.9.
5. Adelaide is the highest-scoring side in 2017, kicking an average of 122 points per game. Fremantle is third-last, with an average of 80 points.
6. There are nine Crows in the top 100 of the Schick AFL Player Ratings, which is the equal-most in the competition, alongside Greater Western Sydney.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Connor Blakely
The tagger has done some impressive jobs this season, and Rory Sloane's impact has been limited at times by run-with players. If the tough Docker can do another job, it would go a long way towards Fremantle leaving South Australia with a win.
PREDICTION: Adelaide by 23 points.
