THE Tigers haven't won a flag in 37 years. The Crows haven't been to the season decider in 19. Richmond wins with manic, rabid defence. Adelaide's attacking prowess can blow teams off the park. It's a contrast of styles – and with both teams desperate to put premiership droughts into the rear-view mirror, Saturday's Grand Final has all the makings of an instant classic.
Who wins? Who steps up? Who wilts under the pressure? Our reporters have their say on Saturday's final game of the 2017 season, and take a stab at how the big match will play out.
Check out their tips below.
Nick Bowen
Winner: Adelaide, 22 points
Norm Smith Medal: Matt Crouch
Most disposals: Matt Crouch (38)
First kick: Trent Cotchin
First goal: Charlie Cameron
Last goal: Taylor Walker
The talking point: Andy Otten would not have played if Mitch McGovern had been fit, but the veteran swingman is one of the feel-good stories of the Grand Final, starring as a defensive forward on Tigers star Alex Rance before drifting forward late in the game to kick a goal that sends Crows fans into delirium.
Grand Final sprint: Josh Williams
The banner should say:
Adelaide THREE OUT OF THREE AIN'T BAD
Richmond WE'RE BACK: STONE THE BLOODY CROWS
Matt Crouch looks set to step up on the biggest stage. Picture: AFL Photos
Ashley Browne
Winner: Adelaide, 10 points
Norm Smith Medal: Rory Laird
Most disposals: Trent Cotchin (31)
First kick: Trent Cotchin
First goal: Tom Lynch
Last goal: Eddie Betts
The talking point: Finally, the Richmond forward line will be brought to earth. Jack Riewoldt will be valiant and likely kick three or four goals, but the lack of a genuine second tall forward will finally bite. It will be a close enough game that the ‘what if’ will haunt the Tigers all summer.
Grand Final sprint: Harry Morrison
The banner should say:
Adelaide WE FLY AS ONE TO FLAG NUMBER THREE
Richmond AFTER 35 YEARS WE’RE YELLOW AND WE’RE BACK
Adam Curley
Winner: Richmond, 11 points
Norm Smith Medal: Trent Cotchin
Most disposals: Matt Crouch (37)
First kick: Dustin Martin
First goal: Josh Jenkins
Last goal: Jack Riewoldt
The talking point: Cotchin launches himself at a contest and takes Rory Sloane out of the game with concussion in the opening minutes, and despite the skipper getting off for the same action a week earlier, he's suspended by the MRP.
Grand Final sprint: Will Hoskin-Elliott
The banner should say:
Adelaide EDDIE RUNS MELBOURNE BUT OUR EDDIE OWNS THE 'G
Richmond RICHMOND IS DUSTY LAND, JUST WAIT 'TIL WE WAKE UP SUNDAY
Is Richmond's skipper set for a big one? Picture: AFL Photos
Lee Gaskin
Winner: Adelaide, 46 points
Norm Smith Medal: Rory Laird
Most disposals: Rory Laird (33)
First kick: Trent Cotchin
First goal: Andy Otten
Last goal: Josh Jenkins
The talking point: The game is in the balance at half-time before the Crows blow the Tigers away in the third quarter. The Tigers are guilty of turning the ball over too often and the Crows, with their quick ball movement and sharp foot skills, make them pay.
Grand Final sprint: Jarman Impey
The banner should say:
Adelaide THREE, TWO, ONE … STAREDOWN
Richmond WE'LL BE DUSTY AFTER WINNING THE FLAG
Ben Guthrie
Winner: Adelaide, 14 points
Norm Smith Medal: Rory Laird
Most disposals: Matt Crouch (34)
First kick: Dustin Martin
First goal: Dan Butler
Last goal: Josh Jenkins
The talking point: Rory Laird did as he pleased against Geelong, and was instrumental in the way he was able to set-up play from defence in the Crows' preliminary final victory. If the Tigers' young small forwards can't apply suitable pressure, Adelaide's transition game will be too difficult to stop.
Grand Final sprint: Jayden Hunt
The banner should say:
Adelaide WE STAND TOGETHER AND LOOK THEM IN THE EYE, STRIVING TO ACHIEVE A PREMIERSHIP HIGH. WHEN THE GAME IS WON AND IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE, AS A FOOTBALL TEAM WE FLY AS ONE.
Richmond WE'LL PLAY IN ANYTHING, EVEN A HESSIAN SACK, AS LONG AS IT'S IN THE YELLOW AND BLACK
Marc McGowan
Winner: Adelaide, 27 points
Norm Smith Medal: Brad Crouch
Most disposals: Matt Crouch (32)
First kick: Dustin Martin
First goal: Josh Caddy
Last goal: Josh Jenkins
The talking point: No-one will be rolling out the old adage of 'defence wins premierships' on Saturday evening. From link men Taylor Walker and Tom Lynch to the wizardry of Eddie Betts and the athletic Josh Jenkins and beyond, this Adelaide offence is the reason Don Pyke's men stand above all others.
Grand Final sprint: Jayden Hunt
The banner should say:
Adelaide GRAND FINAL OR NOT, LET'S KICK A VIC
Richmond THE ONLY CLASH WE'RE LOSING IS OUR JUMPER
Jenkins is a potent part of Adelaide's offensive arsenal. Picture: AFL Photos
Dinny Navaratnam
Winner: Adelaide, 16 points
Norm Smith Medal: Rory Atkins
Most disposals: Matt Crouch (31)
First kick: Trent Cotchin
First goal: Eddie Betts
Last goal: Josh Jenkins
The talking point: Dustin Martin will go off the ground in the first quarter with a soft tissue injury. He will come back on and station himself deep in the forward line, but his movement will be too restricted to have a great deal of impact.
Grand Final sprint: Mark O'Connor
The banner should say:
Adelaide WHETHER IT'S A STAREDOWN OR THE GAME, WE'LL WIN
Richmond DON'T ARGUE WITH DUSTY – THIS WILL BE EASY
Jennifer Phelan
Winner: Adelaide, 29 points
Norm Smith Medal: Eddie Betts (from Rory Laird)
Most disposals: Matt Crouch (38)
First kick: Trent Cotchin
First goal: Jack Riewoldt
Last goal: Sam Jacobs
The talking point: They've all shown they can do it in three separate finals, but it will be Betts who takes the honours as the most prolific small forward from teammate Charlie Cameron and Tiger Daniel Rioli. Betts will thrive on the MCG and occasion, and end with five goals.
Grand Final sprint: Lewis Jetta
The banner should say:
Adelaide: We fly as one, and eat Tigers for breakfast.
Richmond: Welcome to Tigerland. Population: 22 premiership players, one coach.
Peter Ryan
Winner: Adelaide, 18 points
Norm Smith Medal: Rory Laird
Most disposals: Matt Crouch (36)
First kick: Trent Cotchin
First goal: Jack Riewoldt
Last goal: Andy Otten
The talking point: The concussion sub hits the post-season agenda after Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin lays a perfect bump on Adelaide's Rory Sloane and the tough Crow is ruled out of the game 15 minutes into the third quarter. The Tigers roar back into the game as the Crows tire.
Grand Final sprint: Jayden Hunt
The banner should say:
Adelaide OUR JUMPER OUR FLAG, TIGER TIME HAS BECOME A DRAG
Richmond WE'RE ALL TIGERS NOW, WE'LL ALL BE DUSTY TOMORROW
Can Riewoldt go on with it after a fast start? Picture: AFL Photos
Nathan Schmook
Winner: Richmond, 12 points
Norm Smith Medal: Alex Rance
Most disposals: Brad Crouch (32)
First kick: Trent Cotchin
First goal: Charlie Cameron
Last goal: Dustin Martin
The talking point: A fairytale is complete. After the Bulldogs' drought-breaking win, Richmond writes the final chapter in an equally great story. 'Dimma', 'Dusty', 'Cotch' and Rance have all have had great seasons and cement themselves as club heroes.
Grand Final sprint: Jayden Hunt
The banner should say:
Adelaide We Fly As One
Richmond It's Tiger Time, hear us roar
Matt Thompson
Winner: Adelaide, 5 points
Norm Smith Medal: Eddie Betts
Most disposals: Dustin Martin (35)
First kick: Dustin Martin
First goal: Charlie Cameron
Last goal: Eddie Betts
The talking point: Phil Walsh. You won't be able to escape the unprecedented emotional outpour if the Crows win.
Grand Final sprint: Connor Menadue
The banner should say:
Adelaide WE'RE FLYING HOME WITH THE CUP
Richmond SHUT THE STREETS, IT’S TIME TO ROAR
Does a Betts bag deny the Tigers the title? Picture: AFL Photos
Callum Twomey
Winner: Adelaide, 19 points
Norm Smith Medal: Matt Crouch
Most disposals: Matt Crouch (31)
First kick: Trent Cotchin
First goal: Daniel Rioli
Last goal: Josh Jenkins
The talking point: Dustin Martin is held to his lowest possession tally of the year, having just 18 disposals and kicking only one goal as his bid to be the first player to win a Brownlow Medal, premiership and Norm Smith Medal in the same season falls short.
Grand Final sprint: Jayden Hunt
The banner should say:
Adelaide Put your Betts on, we're certainties!
Richmond No fears after 37 years
Michael Whiting
Winner: Adelaide, 31 points
Norm Smith Medal: Brad Crouch
Most disposals: Matt Crouch (31)
First kick: Sam Jacobs
First goal: Josh Jenkins
Last goal: Eddie Betts
The talking point: Did the Tigers choke? Richmond has more than its fair share of possession and inside 50s but can't capitalise. Poor goalkicking becomes an issue as the Crows run away with victory.
Grand Final sprint: Jarrod Pickett
The banner should say:
Adelaide STATE AGAINST STATE, THE TIGERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT
Richmond YELLOW AND BLACK, LET'S WIN THE CUP BACK
