Formed: 1990

Joined AFL: 1991

Premierships: Two - 1997 and 1998

Last finals appearance: 2006, preliminary final

2006 at a glance:

Last year was a slightly odd and unfulfilling one for the Crows, who at one stage were unbackable odds for the minor premiership and eventually finished third - bowing out to flag-winner West Coast in the preliminary final. Adelaide started the season by accounting for Collingwood by 34 points and were 15-3 after Round 18. However, with stories abounding in the press about coach Neil Craig's supposed tapering fitness program and a spate of unfortunate injuries, the Crows then found themselves grounded by five losses in their last eight home-and-away games. A clinical 30-point qualifying final win over Fremantle lifted Adelaide to a second consecutive preliminary final but, for the second year in a row, its season was ended by the Eagles, this time by a mere 10 points.

2007 to date:

The Crows bowed out of the NAB Cup at the first hurdle, edged out by cross-town rivals Port Adelaide in a three-point thriller, but the real surprise came in round one of the season proper, when Adelaide was comprehensively beaten by Essendon to the tune of 31 points. It didn't take the Crows long to re-discover their touch and they subsequently outplayed the Western Bulldogs, Port and Sydney to take their record to 3-1. Since then, however, things have gone slightly pear-shaped for Craig and his men, with the Crows going down to Fremantle by a point at Subiaco in round five and then succumbing to Collingwood by 24 points at home last weekend. Tellingly, Adelaide has failed to kick 10 goals in each of its last three outings.

Missing in action:

Aside from skipper Mark Ricciuto, sidelined by a back injury, and key forward Trent Hentschel and ruckman Rhett Biglands, both gone for the season with knee reconstructions, the Crows are likely to be without Graham Johncock (ankle), Matthew Bode (knee) and Brent Reilly (knee). All are key outs, with Johncock the club's best defensive-minded small defender, Bode a crumbing forward line threat and Reilly an increasingly important midfield utility. Jason Porplyzia (knee) is a chance to return, as is key forward Ken McGregor, who played his first SANFL game of the season on the weekend following achilles trouble. Last week's debutant, John Hinge, hurt a hamstring and is in doubt, as is Brett "Birdman" Burton with a sore knee.

The coach

Neil Craig had more than his share of doubters when he replaced Gary Ayres as Adelaide coach, largely, it seemed, on account of his own lack of AFL playing experience. Those doubters might not have completely eaten their words - only a Crows flag will deliver that outcome - but you'd imagine you they've done a fair bit of chewing over the last two years. A veteran of 321 SANFL games, former State-of-Origin captain Craig has amassed a 42-22 record in his time in charge at West Lakes and is widely credited with revolutionising the use of sports science in the AFL. If his grinding style of play can continue to overwhelm opposing sides and deliver a third Adelaide premiership, he might well be given the keys to the City of Churches.

The gun

When Ayres first moved Andrew McLeod to a half-back-flank, critics questioned the coach's sanity. Now, it looks like the position which the dual Norm Smith medallist was born to occupy. McLeod made his name as a hard-running and skillful midfielder/forward, but his supreme reading of the play, ability to evade would-be-tacklers and pinpoint disposal make him a natural in a floating role across half-back. In the Crows' three consecutive wins this year, between round two and round four, there wasn't a better or more influential player in the competition. The Lions must find a way to keep McLeod accountable, thereby limiting his ability to operate as Adelaide's quarterback and drive the Crows forward.

The bolter

Reliable defender Nathan Bassett isn't exactly a no-name but he might be the most low-profile All-Australian of the modern era. Originally selected by Melbourne in the rookie draft, Bassett has played 180 games since being traded back to his native Adelaide and is a key component for a Crows defence that was the second-stingiest in the league last year. In some ways, Bassett, plays a taller and less free-roaming version of the McLeod role, peeling off his man when appropriate to break down opposition attacking forays and send the ball back in the other direction - usually with an accurate roost from his raking left foot. Likely to match up on Joel Patfull or another of the Lions' secondary tall forwards.

Strengths

Experience. Adelaide is officially the AFL's oldest team, with this weekend's 250-gamer Tyson Edwards, McLeod and Simon Goodwin all having played more than 200 games and another 10 of this week's likely selection candidates having cracked the 100-game milestone. Very few Crows haven't played in a big game - be it a "showdown" against Port Adelaide or a final. Neil Craig's squad is nothing if not disciplined and, while their strangling brand of football isn't always attractive, it is extremely effective. The Crows conceded 100 points just twice in 2006 and kept their opponents to less than 10 goals on 13 occasions, including a streak of six games in a row between rounds 9 and 14.

Weaknesses

Firepower in front of goal. Adelaide's two leading goal-kickers last year were long-term injury victims Ricciuto and Hentschel, who provided 86 of the Crows' 361 majors. Throw in the 66 goals supplied by fellow absentees Matthew Bode and Rhett Biglands and Brent Reilly and it's easy to see why Adelaide has gone three games without breaking the 10-goal mark. If McGregor doesn't return this week, the question of where goals will come from becomes even bigger. The Crows also have their problems in the ruck, where No.1 big man Ben Hudson, still working his way back from a knee reconstruction, was shown up for aerobic fitness by Collingwood on the weekend. How Neil Craig must wish he still had ex-Lion Matthew Clarke on his list. The continued absence of Ricciuto is huge from a leadership perspective.

The Queensland factor

Native Queenslander Hudson travelled a roundabout route to AFL success with the Crows, leaving Mt Gravatt to play at Werribee, before eventually being drafted by Adelaide in 2003. Kurt Tippett, the Crows' second pick in last year's National Draft, hails from Southport and is the brother of Lions rookie Joel Tippett.