Dreams of September action may well be over for the loser of Saturday night’s do-or-die clash
SUMMARY
Lying 10th and 11th on the ladder and each now two wins out of the eight, this is a do-or-die clash for West Coast and Adelaide. The winner remains in the hunt for an unlikely finals berth, while it's just about curtains for the loser. The Crows return from a successful Gold Coast road trip last weekend but weren't quite as impressive as the Eagles, who nearly knocked off a high-flying Essendon unit. Eagle Matt Priddis hit top form in the narrow loss and will need to be closely checked by Brenton Sanderson's men on Saturday night.
WHERE AND WHEN: AAMI Stadium, Saturday July 6, 7.10pm (ACST)
R17, 2012: Adelaide 19.10 (124) d West Coast 11.9 (75) at AAMI Stadium
R24, 2011: West Coast 22.13 (145) d Adelaide 7.8 (50) at Patersons Stadium
R12, 2011: West Coast 15.16 (106) d Adelaide 10.7 (67) at AAMI Stadium
R15, 2010: Adelaide 17.15 (117) d West Coast 14.11 (95) at Patersons Stadium
R21, 2009: Adelaide 18.14 (122) d West Coast 7.6 (48) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Eagles knocked Adelaide out of consecutive preliminary finals in 2005 and 2006, but the Crows have won three of the last five encounters, including a 49-point win at AAMI Stadium in round 17 last year.
2. John Worsfold has an unenviable record at AAMI Stadium; West Coast has lost 14 of 21 matches at the ground under his guidance.
3. Many predicted the Eagles to challenge for this year's flag, but have struggled to stop opposition teams from scoring this season. They've conceded 92 points a game this year compared to 81 in 2012.
4. West Coast is the second-best clearance side in the AFL, averaging 41 a game. Adelaide's ranking coincides with its ladder position – 11th, with 37 clearances a game.
5. Crow Patrick Dangerfield and Eagle Nic Naitanui are the clubs' best according to Official AFL Player Ratings. Dangerfield has maintained his position at No. 2 on the list, while 'Nic Nat' is one point ahead of Swan Kieren Jack in ninth.
6. West Coast's midfield has been well served by its ruckmen, with the club ranked second in the AFL with almost 50 hit-outs a game. The Crows are ninth with 39 a match.