SUMMARY
Adelaide has been humbled by North Melbourne and Melbourne in the past fortnight after experiencing two unexpected losses. Despite these defeats, the Crows are still flying on top of the ladder. While they'd be foolish to take the young Lions lightly, the Crows' potent forward line may be the remedy needed for a return-to-form victory. Meanwhile, after their opening round win against Gold Coast, the Lions are yet to secure their second. The young Lions teams proved more than competitive in last week’s clash with Hawthorn in Launceston. They may be short on experience through the midfield, but the Lions have shown a willingness to move the ball quickly and have rattled up big scores in quarters to remain a threat. This weekend will be the Lions' only game at the Gabba in a five-week span.
WHERE AND WHEN: The Gabba, Saturday, May 20, 7.25pm AEST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R20, 2016, Adelaide 27.15 (177) d Brisbane Lions 6.3 (39) at Adelaide Oval
R21, 2015, Adelaide 20.11 (131) d Brisbane Lions 6.8 (44) at Adelaide Oval
R13, 2015, Adelaide 11.16 (82) d Brisbane Lions 10.9 (69) at the Gabba
R20, 2014, Adelaide 25.18 (168) d Brisbane Lions 9.9 (63) at the Gabba
R2, 2013, Adelaide 14.12 (96) d Brisbane Lions 10.17 (77) at the Gabba
THE THREE POINTS
1. The ladder leading Crows have been served two humbling defeats in the last two weeks. The Club is now only percentage ahead of Greater Western Sydney and West Coast in top spot on the AFL ladder.
2. The Lions’ average score is 79 points per game. Whilst the Crows continue to be the highest scoring side, averaging 119 points.
3. The Lions have four players in the top 100 of theSchick Official AFL Player Ratings with Dayne Zorko ranked at seventh. Meanwhile, Adelaide has nine player ranked inside the top 100, led by Rory Sloane, ranked fifth.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Stefan Martin.
Brisbane Lion’s aggressive ruckman, Stefan Martin will be faced with a tough opponent this weekend. Crow’s big man, Sam Jacobs led the team’s ruck department during the Round 8 clash against Melbourne winning 74 of Adelaide’s 76 hit-outs to Melbourne’s 29. Martin has proven his competitiveness in the area also, with an impressive 63 hit-outs compared to Hawthorn ruckman, Ben McEvoy’s 34 hit-outs last weekend.
