Carlton lost a record equalling 14 games in a row to start the season, but after two solid wins the Blues are back on everybody’s radar.
Burton described his club’s form as "patchy" so far this year yet the Crows sit fifth on the ladder. Adelaide can only improve on last week’s performance and expected to field a team that relishes the MCG.
Recent form:
Beat Fremantle by 17, lost to Hawthorn by 44, beat Port Adelaide by 6, beat West Coast by 76, lost to Western Bulldogs by 3.
Recent results against Carlton:
Round 9, 2007, Adelaide 15.15 (105) d Carlton 12.14 (86), TD
Round 9, 2006, Adelaide 18.16 (124) d Carlton 9.6 (60), AAMI
Round 10, 2005, Adelaide 9.17 (71) d Carlton 8.9 (57), AAMI
Round 11, 2004, Carlton 14.7 (91) d Adelaide 12.15 (87), AAMI
Round 13, 2003, Adelaide 13.14 (92) d Carlton 7.8 (50), Optus Oval
Strengths:
This week pits the league’s fourth-best (Adelaide) and fourth-worst (Carlton) defences up against each other. The Blues have conceded 100 more points than the Crows this season and rely heavily on out shooting teams on the scoreboard.
With strong wind and showers forecast for Melbourne on Saturday it’s unlikely the game will be a high scoring affair. Adelaide has a forward line consisting largely of midfield-type players such as Simon Goodwin, Brett Burton, Jason Porplyzia, Andrew McLeod and Richie Douglas.
The Blues rely on taller targets Brendan Fevola, Brad Fisher, Setanta O’hAilpin and Matthew Kreuzer to kick the majority of their goals.
The Crows have an excellent winning record in dour, low scoring games and if bad weather prevails, the conditions are likely to suit the visitors.
Potential weakness:
Adelaide admitted to overusing the handball last week in a bid to generate the exciting, running game the Crows are intent on executing this season. The Crows fell just 23 handballs short of an AFL record and will need to find a more reasonable balance, especially on a slippery deck, against Carlton on Saturday.
They’re sweating on:
The Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola show rolled into the MCG last weekend with the damaging duo booting ten goals-combined.
Judd was outstanding at stoppages, splitting the lines with his dynamic acceleration. He picked up 26 touches, including six forays inside 50m where he offered silver service to the salivating Fevola.
The Crows rediscovered their trademark defensive pressure against Fremantle and, although conditions may help, they’ll also need to shutdown the supply from Carlton’s midfield to prevent a repeat of last Sunday’s MCG antics.
Dangermen:
Scott Thompson: The hard bodied onballer picked up 26 touches and five clearances last time these two sides met. Thompson’s output has been a little down on his stellar 2007 form, as he adjusts to different roles within the new-look Adelaide structure. The gutsy midfielder enjoyed the tussle with Fremantle’s Ryan Crowley last week, picking up 20 touches and a miracle final quarter, boundary line goal.
Andrew McLeod: Last week, McLeod and fellow defenders Graham Johncock, Nathan Bassett and Nathan Bock combined to gather 100-plus possessions and ignite countless Adelaide attacks. McLeod, not content with destroying the Fremantle half-forward line, shifted up the ground and went on to pick up 34 touches and two match winning goals. Ryan Houlihan, who is sidelined with injury, usually gets the job on the dual Norm Smith medallist and McLeod won’t be disappointed to see him sitting in the stands.
Nathan van Berlo: The Crows are determined to use their running machine as an attacking midfielder and, last week, van Berlo inspired teammates with his fearless attack on the ball. The young vice-captain picked up 19 touches but against Carlton could be used in a more negating role. Judd, Marc Murphy, Nick Stevens and Andrew Carazzo have all had plenty of the footy in the past two weeks and Rob Shirley, Michael Doughty and van Berlo will share the task of curbing their influence.
It’s not generally known:
The Crows have only played Carlton once at the MCG, in 2001 when the Blues emerged victorious.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
