After taking a step backwards last weekend against the Western Bulldogs, the Crows will hope to farewell AAMI Stadium in the best way possible: a strong win at home. The club's longest serving coach Neil Craig will play his part as Melbourne's interim coach in the final AFL game at the venue. The Demons continue their limp towards the end of what's been a disastrous year, but an upset victory in the City of Churches would prove a poetic highlight.
WHERE AND WHEN: AAMI Stadium, Saturday August 24, 1.15pm (ACST)
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R22, 2012, Adelaide 22.18 (150) d Melbourne 11.15 (81) at the MCG
R7, 2011, Melbourne 22.17 (149) d Adelaide 8.5 (53) at the MCG
R13, 2010, Adelaide 16.21 (117) d Melbourne 11.7 (73) at AAMI Stadium
R3, 2010, Melbourne 7.15 (57) d Adelaide 5.11 (41) at the MCG
R5, 2009, Adelaide 7.9 (51) d Melbourne 4.10 (34) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. The last game for the Crows at AAMI Stadium ends an era of dominance over Melbourne; they've won 12 of the 15 encounters between these sides in Adelaide.
2. That record is more impressive when you consider Adelaide has won its last six at home against the Demons by an average margin of 63 points.
3. Melbourne caretaker coach Neil Craig is Adelaide's longest serving coach having led the club from 2004-2011. He knows the layout of AAMI Stadium better than any current AFL mentor, having coached 93 games there.
4. The last time the Demons won at AAMI Stadium was against the Crows in round two, 2001. Andrew Leoncelli broke Adelaide's heart, booting the match-winning goal with four seconds remaining.
5. Adelaide has struggled to boot winning scores this season, but not as badly as the Demons. They're the worst scoring side in the League this year averaging just 66 points a game compared to the Crows' 91 points a game.
6. Melbourne has only one player inside the top 100 in the Official AFL Player Ratings, with Nathan Jones sneaking in at 81 despite a downward trend. Adelaide has four in Patrick Dangerfield (no. 2), Rory Sloane (no. 22), Richard Douglas (no. 37) and the injured Brent Reilly (no. 75).
