Preview Round 9: Collingwood v Adelaide

AFL

Collingwood v Adelaide Thursday May 15, 7.50pm Adelaide Oval Fox Footy / 7mate 7.30pm Weather: Min 13 Max 23 Chance of rain 10%: < 1mm Wind: NW 23kph Betting: Collingwood $1.45 Adelaide $2.80

A MASSIVE crowd is expected for this big clash on Thursday night and it's a game in which Adelaide can't afford to again sadden its supporters. A win would square the Crows’ season up to 4-4 and that's enough to offer the club's players some hope of salvaging the year. Lose, and a place in the final eight at season's end would seem unlikely. Collingwood's recent form is imposing to say the least. The Magpies are looking for their fifth straight win and with several key players available for selection, and despite the return of star Crow Taylor Walker, they appear very difficult to beat.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R16, 2013, Collingwood 17.9 (111) d Adelaide 12.12 (84) at the MCG
2. R9, 2012, Collingwood 10.15 (75) d Adelaide 6.13 (49) at AAMI Stadium
3. R9, 2011, Collingwood 20.15 (135) d Adelaide 14.8 (92) at Etihad Stadium
4. R21, 2010, Collingwood 6.18 (54) d Adelaide 7.9 (51) at the MCG
5. 1SF, 2009, Collingwood 12.11 (83) d Adelaide 11.12 (78) at the MCG 

THE SIX POINTS

1. Adelaide and Collingwood meet for the 37th time but it's the Magpies who have dominated, winning 25 games to 11. The Crows have lost eight of the last nine.
2. The Magpies are ranked equal fourth in 2014 for marks inside 50, averaging just under 14 a game. Travis Cloke is equal eighth for the stat so far (19 marks inside 50), after being the number one player in 2013.
3. The Crows have struggled on the inside of the contest this year and are ranked 16th for contested possessions, averaging 134 a game. That's compared to the League's best, Gold Coast, which is averaging 157 a game.
4. This contest may well break the Adelaide attendance record between these sides, which currently sits at 48,522 from round 22, 1993 at AAMI Stadium.
5. Tackling continues to trouble the Crows; they're ranked 16th for tackles, averaging 62 a game, while Collingwood is third with 73 a game.
6. Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury and Adelaide's acting co-captain Patrick Dangerfield are in the middle of a battle for second spot in the Official AFL Player Ratings. Dangerfield holds second by just 15 points.
   

Prediction: Collingwood by 23 points