SUMMARY
Expect goals galore in this one. Adelaide is the highest-scoring team in the competition, Essendon is ranked third. The Crows are coming off one of their most blistering performances of the season, pouring 18 goals on a Port Adelaide outfit that came into the game as the most frugal side in the AFL. Meanwhile, Essendon has made a habit of tearing teams up on the outside with its run and is well set to wreak havoc under the roof at Etihad Stadium. There should be plenty of exciting moments, with Eddie Betts almost expected to slot brilliant goals whenever he takes the field, while few players can take speccies like Joe Daniher. Adelaide's impressive midfield will be tough to combat. Rory Sloane and the Crouch brothers will make their presence felt and Sam Jacobs is one of the competition's premier ruckmen, so the Essendon onballers will need to fire for the Bombers to have a chance.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, August 12, 7.25PM AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R4, 2017, Adelaide 24.9 (153) d Essendon 13.10 (88) at Adelaide Oval
R19, 2016, Adelaide 22.11 (143) d Essendon 9.7 (61) at Adelaide Oval
R20, 2015, Adelaide 27.9 (171) d Essendon 8.11 (59) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2014, Essendon 15.11 (101) d Adelaide 14.8 (92) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2013, Essendon 18.9 (117) d Adelaide 11.16 (82) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Adelaide blew Essendon away in the opening quarter in round four, kicking nine goals to three. Eddie Betts finished with six goals and Taylor Walker five.
2. The Crows have kicked at least 100 points 13 times this season, while the Bombers have done it on 10 occasions.
3. Adelaide has dominated Essendon recently, winning the last three games by an average of 86 points.
4. The Crows are ranked first for contested possessions, averaging 155.6 per game. The Bombers are 14th, averaging 138.7 per game.
5. Essendon is 4-3 at Etihad Stadium in 2017.
6. Adelaide has 10 players ranked in the top 100 of the Schick AFL Player Ratings, more than any other side.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Jobe Watson. The veteran is in a flat spot and appears to be on his last legs. A proud player, the Bomber will want to prove the critics wrong against a Crows midfield in formidable form.
PREDICTION: Adelaide by 26 points
