Where and when: AAMI Stadium, Sunday August 8, 4.10pm ACST
Head to head: Adelaide 15 wins, Western Bulldogs 18 wins
Last time: Western Bulldogs 18.13 (121) d Adelaide 10.12 (72), round five, 2010 at Etihad Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Adelaide
Brett Burton (ankle) - 1 week
James Craig (hamstring) - season
Patrick Dangerfield (hand) - 1 week
Simon Goodwin (ankle) - indefinite
Andrew McLeod (knee) - indefinite
Brad Moran (knee) - 2 weeks
Andy Otten (knee) - season
Jared Petrenko (foot) - season
Sam Shaw (back) - indefinite
Daniel Talia (knee) - season
Western Bulldogs
Ayce Cordy (shoulder) - season
Mitch Hahn (concussion) - test
Sam Reid (shoulder) - season
Brennan Stack (hamstring) - 1 week
Shane Thorne (knee) - 4 weeks
Callan Ward (hip) - test
FORM
Adelaide: WWWLL
Western Bulldogs: LWWWW
SUMMARY
The Crows’ four-match winning streak between rounds 13 and 16 got them within reach of the eight but their past fortnight has undone their good work. A loss to crosstown rival Port Adelaide in round 17 was the first blow before a 20-point defeat by Richmond pushed them two games adrift.
Injuries have hurt with Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod and Brett Burton missing from the side while Patrick Dangerfield is now out with a hand problem. However, they will regain key back Graham Johncock from suspension and Chris Knights from a side strain.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are coming good at the right time. They haven’t lost since round 14 and are in the top four after edging Fremantle out on percentage. Their injury list is light, the players are collectively in form and they have depth on offer.
The last time they faced the Crows at AAMI Stadium, in round seven last year, they won by 32 points.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Last week against Richmond, Jonathon Griffin sprayed two golden opportunities to kick goals for the Crows in a match where they dearly needed them. How will the 24-year-old make up for his lapse in concentration?
In the continuing theme of back up ruckmen, the Bulldogs could have a tough selection decision on their hands in the coming weeks considering the blistering form of Jordan Roughead. The young tall is improving all the time to keep Will Minson in the VFL.
QUESTION MARKS
Neil Craig was left pulling his hair out after his players’ “amateurish” kicking display on Sunday. The Crows have scored 9.15 against Port Adelaide and 11.14 against Richmond across the past two weeks. Can they arrest their yips and boot a winning score?
The Dogs are having no such worries in front of goal, having scored 24.14 against Freo and 22.11 against North Melbourne. Can they continue their dominance in attack?
It’s getting hot at the Dogs’ selection table with a host of experienced heads including Minson, Dylan Addison, Nathan Eagleton, Josh Hill and Tim Callan unable to get a game. As we inch closer to finals, will the pressure of holding a spot start to get to some players?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Crows still have a slim chance of playing in the finals but a lot would have to go right for them to sneak into the eight. The Dogs are up and running and would have copped a bit during the week for being off the boil in the first half against the Kangaroos.
The Dogs have proven they can kick big scores, the Crows have recently shown they can’t, and the experience of Rodney Eade’s men - who have September firmly in their sights - will prevail.
PREDICTION
Western Bulldogs by 32 points
Chat with host James Bartold and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 3.40pm or join the conversation on Twitter: #aflcrowsdogs
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
