The Adelaide Crows will come off their second biggest win on the season, defeating the Essendon Bombers by 82-points in Round 19.
It was the percentage boost they needed, pushing them to 5th on the AFL ladder and they’ll be looking to increase the percentage this weekend.
With a strong offensive side, it could be a tough match for our defensive group as they go up against the likes of Eddie Betts, Tom Lynch and Charlie Cameron.
Crows’ forward Charlie Cameron will need to be tied down after bagging a career-high four goals last weekend.
Eddie Betts will be a tough match after kicking five goals in last week’s match, which saw him pass the 450 career goal milestone.
Betts’ five-goal, 16 possession game lined him up to score a perfect 10 votes from the coaches for the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award.
Acting Crows captain Rory Sloane also impressed with 33 possessions, nine inside 50s and a goal and was ranked second on the AFL Coaches Associations Round 19 Leaderboard, behind his former teammate Patrick Dangerfield.
Midfielder Rory Laird notched up a game-high 36 disposals with 86% efficiency on top of his seven marks and a team-high six rebound 50s.
Injury Watch
The only concerning injury for the Crows out of the weekend is star ruckman Sam Jacobs who injured his ankle just last week.
Initially Crows General Manager of High Performance Brett Burton said the injury looked minor and could make a return this week.
However, on Wednesday afternoon afc.com.au Burton confirmed he would be unavailable this weekend.
“Scans on Sam’s ankle have confirmed a low-grade ankle sprain, which will keep him sidelined for this week,” Burton told afc.com.au.
With Jacobs out and Lions' Archie Smith coming off an impressive debut, it could be a first-game v second-game match-up in the ruck with the Crows announcing promoted Crows rooke Reilly O'Brien to make his AFL debut this weekend.
O'Brien was selected as pick no.9 in the 2014 Rookie Draft and has impressed in the SANFL, establishing himself as one of the premier ruckmen.
On a positive note, Crows captain Taylor Walker could make a return from an ankle injury, subject to fitness testing.
“Tex trying well over the weekend,” Burton said.
“We’ll ramp up his (training) loads during the week and, hopefully he’ll be a chance to play.”
Lastly, Ricky Henderson will also need to prove his fitness after a complaining of a sore Achilles this week.
Crows Injury List
Taylor Walker (ankle) – Test
Ricky Henderson (Achilles) – Test
Sam Jacobs (ankle) – Test
Keenan Ramsey (ankle) – Assess
Andy Otten (thumb) – 1 week
Nathan van Berlo (foot) – 1-2 weeks
Riley Knight (ankle) – 1-2 weeks
*as of Monday, August 1
