Head to head: Brisbane Lions 15 wins, Adelaide 14 wins
Last time: Brisbane Lions 18.11 (119) d Adelaide 12.11 (83), round eight, 2009 at Gabba
MISSING IN ACTION
Adelaide
Brett Burton (knee) - 6 weeks
James Craig (hamstring) - 2-3 weeks
Trent Hentschel (knee) - 3-4 weeks
Jarrhan Jacky (hamstring) - 1-2 weeks
Matthew Jaensch (club-imposed suspension) - 1 week
Graham Johncock (AC joint/club-imposed suspension) - 1 week
Chris Knights (foot, plantar fasciitis) - test
David Mackay (groin) - test
Brodie Martin (knee) - indefinite
Brad Moran (knee) - indefinite
Andy Otten (knee) - season
Brad Symes (knee) - test
Daniel Talia (calf) - test
Scott Thompson (calf) - test
Bernie Vince (club-imposed suspension) - 1 week
Brisbane Lions
Jared Brennan (ankle) - 5 weeks
Jamie Charman (ankle) - 2-4 weeks
Mitch Clark (groin) - test
Xavier Clarke (knee) - indefinite
Josh Drummond (knee) - indefinite
Ash McGrath (elbow) - TBC
Niall McKeever (knee) - 4-6 weeks
Daniel Merrett (hamstring) - 2-3 weeks
FORM
Adelaide: LLLWL
Brisbane Lions: WLLLL
SUMMARY
A few weeks ago the Lions would have been licking their lips at the prospect of taking on the struggling Crows, but form and fitness hasn’t been kind to the Queensland team.
The Lions were belted by a red-hot Geelong last weekend and are battling to cover the losses of Daniel Merrett, Mitch Clark, Jared Brennan and Josh Drummond, who are all out injured.
Further complicating the Lions’ quest for a top-four finish is the fitness of star forwards Jonathan Brown and Brendan Fevola, who both appear badly underdone.
But Adelaide has plenty of troubles of its own. On Monday, Bernie Vince and rookie Matthew Jaensch were suspended for a week, after staying out beyond a reasonable hour on Saturday night, while injured defender Graham Johncock was also banished for missing a rehabilitation session.
The Crows haven’t fared much better on the field, with just one win from eight starts and pressure mounting on the playing and coaching staff.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Not surprisingly small forward Jason Porplyzia came into the game when the Crows started moving the ball quickly into their attacking50m in the final quarter against North Melbourne. The crafty goalkicker finished with two majors and will be suited to the wet weather conditions forecast for Sunday.
Reigning NAB Rising Star winner Daniel Rich has been accused of succumbing to the second-year blues this season, but his form over the past fortnight has been encouraging. The 19-year-old racked up 21 disposals and a game-high six tackles against the Cats and his ability to win the hard ball could trouble the Crows, who have struggled in the key area of contested possession.
QUESTION MARKS
Will Brown and Fevola play? The pair flew to Adelaide early this week to see a physiotherapist specialising in groin complaints, heightening speculation over their fitness. The star duo was the reason behind the Lions’ early-season success and the club can ill-afford to add two more players of such calibre to its injury list.
Will Adelaide’s off-field drama inspire a better onfield performance this weekend? The Crows were non-competitive for three quarters against the Roos and, whilst a week in the spotlight isn’t viewed as ideal preparation, it might be the wake-up call the under-performing team needs.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Both sides are battling for form and fitness and desperately need a win at AAMI Stadium on Sunday. The Crows will be keen to respond after an insipid performance against the Roos, but the strong-boded Lions should be too good provided Brown and Fevola play.
PREDICTION
Brisbane Lions by 15 points
Chat with host James Bartold and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 12.10pm ACST Sunday or join the conversation on Twitter: #aflcrowslions
The views expressed in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
