How will Adelaide kick a winning score without its key forward and cult hero Taylor Walker? Brenton Sanderson's men will need to give everything they can on Saturday afternoon to hold back a Hawthorn unit running hot from four consecutive wins. No Crows fan would forget the heartbreaking last encounter between these sides when Hawthorn hung on to win through to last season's Grand Final and Adelaide's players would no doubt be looking for redemption. But can they prove the bookies wrong and upset one of this year's heavyweights?
WHERE AND WHEN: AAMI Stadium, Saturday May 4, 4.10pm
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
PF, 2012, Hawthorn 13.19 (97) d Adelaide 14.8 (92) at the MCG
R3, 2012, Hawthorn 21.14 (140) d Adelaide 12.12 (84) at the MCG
R1, 2011, Adelaide 16.9 (105) d 12.13 (85) at AAMI Stadium
R12, 2010, Hawthorn 19.10 (124) d Adelaide 11.11 (77) at Aurora Stadium
R20, 2009, Adelaide 13.16 (94) d Hawthorn 9.13 (67) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Adelaide has managed to turn AAMI Stadium into a fortress against the Hawks, winning 10 of the last 11 battles at the ground.
2. He mightn't have kicked a goal last weekend but Lance Franklin has consistently hit the scoreboard against the Crows. He's booted 36 goals from 11 games.
3. Hawthorn has a huge advantage once the ball enters open space. The Hawks rank fourth for uncontested possessions – the Crows rank last.
4. The Hawks have one of the League's most potent attacks and have taken the third highest number of marks inside 50. Adelaide, on the other hand, ranks 13th.
5. Since beating the highly-fancied Hawks in their inaugural game in 1991, the Crows have won 18 games between the two sides to Hawthorn's 15.
6. Adelaide has struggled offensively all season in 2013. Last year the Crows averaged 105 points per game, this year they've managed just 90 per match.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.
