Where and when: AAMI Stadium, Sunday, April 4, 12.40pm
Head to head: Adelaide 20 wins, Sydney Swans nine wins, no draws
Last time: Adelaide 12.13 (85) d Sydney Swans 10.9 (69), round 13, 2009 at AAMI Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Adelaide
Brett Burton (knee) - test
Graham Johncock (thumb) - 2-3 weeks
Chris Knights (foot) - test
Brodie Martin (knee) - indefinite
Brad Moran (knee) - indefinite
Andy Otten (knee) - season
Sam Shaw (shin) - 3-4 weeks
Rory Sloane (ankle) - 5-6 weeks
Scott Stevens (concussion) - test
Brad Symes (knee) - indefinite
Sydney Swans
Craig Bird (foot) - 6-7 weeks
Trent Dennis-Lane (knee) - test
Lewis Johnston (foot) - 2-3 weeks
Tadhg Kennelly (concussion) - test
Brett Meredith (quad) - 2-3 weeks
Jake Orreal (back) - TBA
Kristin Thornton (knee) - 6-7 weeks
SUMMARY
Both teams are coming off a loss, but the Swans will be feeling a bit better about themselves than Adelaide. Paul Roos' men pushed St Kilda hard in round one, but the Crows were made to look second rate by unfancied Fremantle.
The injury news doesn't get any better for Adelaide with highly-rated youngster Rory Sloane joining a lengthy injury list and utility Scott Stevens in doubt after suffering concussion against Freo. Tadhg Kennelly will be monitored for the Swans after his collision with Zac Dawson.
Several Crows, including Andrew McLeod, Nathan van Berlo and Bernie Vince, had limited preparation leading into the opening round, but should be better for the run.
The Swans were considered only an outside chance to play finals in Roos' last season in charge, but showed they meant business with their pressure on the ball carrier a highlight against the Saints.
PLAYER TO WATCH
There's no doubting Taylor Walker's natural talent, but he can be erratic in his application and intensity. He booted four goals against Fremantle to provide a bright point in an otherwise dull performance by the Crows. His task now is to back that effort up this week.
Martin Mattner will want to impress in front of the coach who moved him on and the coach who watched him give away a couple of costly free kicks last week. His unnecessary bump on Nick Riewoldt and 50m penalty to Brendon Goddard had Paul Roos shaking his head, but he's a better player than that and should rebound.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Crows prove round one was an aberration? They were a popular pre-season pick to finish in the top four, but have work to do to restore a bit of pride.
Can the Swans get the Adelaide monkey off their backs? They haven't beaten the Crows in their last six encounters and only won one of their last 11.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Neil Craig didn't like what he saw in Perth last week one bit, so expect a much sharper Adelaide unit to run out for the home opener. A disjointed pre-season campaign will have the Crows starting the year a bit slower, but they will be much better for last week's hit-out. The Swans haven't beaten Adelaide at AAMI Stadium since 2001. They'll go close this time around, but the Crows should have enough weapons to see off the challenge.
PREDICTION
Adelaide by six points
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
