FORM GUIDE
Both the Lions and Adelaide will be looking to atone for disappointing first-up performances, which have them sitting 17th and 16th respectively on the AFL ladder after Round One.

The Lions proved that their promising NAB Cup form counted for little after being thrashed by the Western Bulldogs in Melbourne, while the Crows were overrun by Essendon at home.

Adelaide, however, at least have history on their side after coming agonisingly close to playing off in last year’s Grand Final, and deserve favouritism heading into the match.

SELECTION TABLE
The Lions have responded to last week’s loss with three changes – one of which was forced due to Matt Maguire’s calf injury.

First choice ruckman Matthew Leuenberger returns along with midfielder Andrew Raines and utility Ryan Lester. Maguire, Aaron Cornelius and Billy Longer will be missing from the team that travelled to Melbourne last weekend.

Adelaide has included small forward Ian Callinan who missed their season opener with a knee complaint, along with young midfielder Brad Crouch who is set to play his first senior AFL match.

Brodie Martin and Graham Johncock have been omitted.

KEY MATCH-UPS
Full-back Daniel Merrett will have his hands full this weekend opposed to Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker, who booted a career-high 63 goals in 2012.

Walker has given the Lions defence some headaches recently, kicking four goals in each of his past two visits to the Gabba.

Lions forward Jonathan Brown, meanwhile, has had a tough time scoring against the Crows throughout his career.

In fact, Brown has kicked just 15 goals from his 14 matches against the Crows at an average of just 1.07 per match.

Ben Rutten generally lines up against the Lions’ Co-Captain, and there’s nothing to suggest he won’t be standing next to him again this Saturday.      

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lions Vice-Captain Daniel Rich and Crows midfielder Patrick Dangerfield might be stars of the competition, but both received heavy tags and were shut out of their respective Round One matches.

Fresh from winning the Michael Tuck Medal as the best afield in the NAB Cup Grand Final, Rich was restricted to a career-low eight disposals by Bulldogs tagger Nick Lower, while Dangerfield managed just 17 opposed to Essendon’s Heath Hocking.

Although Rich and Dangerfield can probably expect some more attention this Saturday, both players will no doubt be primed to make a bigger impact.  

MISSING IN ACTION
Matt Maguire’s leg injury suffered against the Bulldogs is likely to keep him sidelined for 1-2 weeks, while Simon Black and Brent Staker are expected to return within the next month.

For the Crows, young Crow Brodie Smith is still one week away after breaking his collarbone during the pre-season.

RECENT HISTORY
The Lions’ upset victory over Adelaide in Round 21 last season was one of the Club’s best results for the year – particularly after trailing the Crows by almost six goals midway through the second quarter.

Prior to that win, Adelaide had secured the four points on their previous two visits to Brisbane – both in tight encounters.

In fact, the past three meetings between these two sides at the Gabba have been decided by a combined total of just 24 points (which is an average of only eight points per game).

So prepare to be sitting on the edge of your seat, because recent history suggests it’s going to be a close one.

DID YOU KNOW…
The last time the Lions faced the Crows in Round 2 of an AFL Premiership Season was back in 2004 at AAMI Stadium.

On that occasion, the Lions prevailed by 21 points – 15.14 (104) to 11.17 (83) – with Michael Voss having a day out with seven goals.

Ash McGrath (Lions) and Brent Reilly (Adelaide) both took part in that particular match, and have been named to play again this Saturday.