IT'S BEEN 14 years since six-goal star John Platten led the Hawks to their last victory over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

A lot has changed since round nine, 1994, but it's a phenomenal winning record the Crows are hopeful will continue beyond this week.

The forecast dewy conditions should reduce the potency of Hawthorn’s tall forward line and, if Adelaide can replicate its second half against Richmond over four quarters, the Crows should send the League leading Hawks packing on Saturday night.

Adelaide’s recent form:
Beat Richmond by 50, beat Essendon by five, lost to West Coast by 50, beat Melbourne by 76 and beat North Melbourne by 33.

Recent results against Hawthorn:
Round four, 2008, Hawthorn 17.12 (114) d Adelaide 10.10 (70), Aurora
Elimination Final, 2007, Hawthorn 15.15 (105) d Adelaide 15.12 (102), TD
Round 14, 2007, Adelaide 15.12 (102) d Hawthorn 4.7 (31), AAMI (N)
Round 15, 2006, Adelaide 16.13 (109) d Hawthorn 11.7 (73), AAMI
Round 15, 2005, Adelaide 12.6 (78) d Hawthorn 10.8 (68), Aurora

Strengths:
Last week’s second half against Richmond was as good as we’ve seen from the Crows this season. Adelaide, after a lacklustre start, revived its work rate, defensive pressure and contested ball wins, and destroyed the Tigers with a 15 goal-to-five second half.

The Crows’ contested possession was well down against Hawthorn when the two sides met in Launceston earlier this year and, hopefully, last week’s second half reminded the entire Adelaide playing group of the rewards you reap when you’re first to the ball.

Also in Adelaide’s favour this week is the likelihood Hawthorn will be without its top three leading possessions-winners from the Hawks 44-point win in round four.

Brent Guerra, who racked up a game-high 38 possessions in Tassie, will be sidelined with injury, as will Shane Crawford (28 touches) and, possibly livewire Chance Bateman (30), who is battling a corked thigh. Hawks tough nut Brad Sewell will also miss after undergoing shoulder surgery. Hawthorn will regain skipper Sam Mitchell and midfielder Jordan Lewis, who both missed round four.

Potential weakness:
Coach Neil Craig praised his team’s fighting qualities after they toughed out disappointing first halves to claim victory against both Essendon and Richmond, but it’s unlikely Hawthorn will be so obliging.

The Crows have lost their past three first quarters and if they start anywhere near as slowly this week, the polished Hawks might be too far ahead to allow for another stirring Adelaide fight back.

They’re sweating on:
The conditions won’t suit Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin’s aerial game, but unfortunately for Adelaide, the Hawks match winner is as good on the ground as he is on the lead. Franklin broke Adelaide hearts when he snatched victory for Hawthorn in the 2007 elimination final and followed up with six goals against the Crows in Launceston.

In-form defender Nathan Bock is likely to get first crack at the League’s leading goal kicker, but history shows one man simply isn’t enough to stop Buddy’s brilliance. The Crows might look to fill the space in front of last week’s nine-goal hero, but they’ll also need to be wary of his speed and agility when the ball hits the deck.

Dangermen:
Michael Doughty: Doughty was one of Adelaide’s best against Hawthorn in round four with 29 possessions and is likely to be given an important tagging role this week.
Hawks star Luke Hodge, despite battling injury, starred last week with 22 touches and three goals. Doughty and Rob Shirley will split the run-with roles on Hodge and Mitchell and the winner of these battles could just determine the outcome of the game.

Scott Thompson: Thompson will, no doubt, attract some close attention on Saturday night after last week’s six-goal performance. The gun midfielder picked up 27 possessions against Hawthorn in round four and, in conditions perfectly suited to his game, could wear the shadow of Jordan Lewis.

Luke Jericho: Jericho made a spectacular AFL return last week with five goals, including four in the third quarter. Jericho’s athleticism provides a spark up forward for Adelaide and the enigmatic 30-gamer has one more week to convince selectors not to drop him when Brett Burton returns from suspension next week. 

It’s not generally known…
Andrew McLeod has polled Brownlow votes (5) in two of his past three home and away games against Hawthorn.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.