BOTH sides enter this contest staring down the barrel of a 0-3 start to season 2014. Late last year this clash shaped as one of the biggest for Adelaide and although Kurt Tippett's injury lessens its value from a commercial perspective, there's no doubting the importance of a good showing in the club's first home game at Adelaide Oval. The Swans will be fired up too after forfeiting a 23-point lead to Collingwood last weekend and with Lance Franklin finding form in the loss, the 2012 premiers have the arsenal to boot a match-winning score.

 

WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday April 5, 1.40pm

 

 

R11, 2013, Sydney Swans 19.13 (127) d Adelaide 6.14 (50) at AAMI Stadium

2QF, 2012, Sydney Swans 11.5 (71) d Adelaide 5.12 (42) at AAMI Stadium

R6, 2012, Adelaide 15.9 (99) d Sydney Swans 14.10 (94) at the SCG

R15, 2011, Adelaide 8.9 (57) d Sydney Swans 6.14 (50) at AAMI Stadium

R2, 2010, Sydney Swans 18.10 (118) d Adelaide 11.9 (75) at AAMI Stadium

 

1. The Crows will be playing their first home game at the Adelaide Oval; in home games against the Swans they hold an advantage winning 11 games to seven.

2. The Swans are struggling for marks inside 50, with just nine per game while Adelaide has taken 10.5 per game.

3. Adelaide has been strong so far this season for centre clearances with 16 per game while the Swans are equal seventh with 13.5 per game.

4. In 2013 the Swans were ranked first for hit-outs averaging 47 per game but so far in 2014 they are eighth with 40 per game.

5. The Swans thrashed Adelaide the last time the sides met, winning by 77 points in round 11, 2013 at AAMI Stadium. Dan Hannebery collected the three Brownlow votes with 42 possessions and one goal.

6. Hannebery is part of a hugely underrated midfield. Both skipper Kieren Jack (No. 8) and Josh Kennedy (No. 9) are both top 10 ranked players in the AFL Official Player Ratings.

Prediction: Adelaide by 15 points