Adelaide vs Western Bulldogs - Aami Stadium - Sunday
Adelaide 11th - 7-11 -91.92%
Western Bulldogs 4th - 12-6 - 141.27%
Round 19 will conclude at Aami Stadium with yet another intriguing game. The young Crows who cling to life by a thread in season 2010 will take on a Western Bulldogs outfit that cannot afford a slip up if it is to finish top four.
Adelaide's last two weeks have probably killed them, but the fact so many rivals for a spot in the eight have been losing as well, means they remain slightly in the hunt, but they will need to win all four games which seems improbable given the draw.
Last week they had Richmond on toast for the entire second quarter, but squandered several chances to put them away and ended up being over hauled after half time in a game reminiscint of the 1998 Grand Final which Crows fans would remember well.
With some experienced players injured or unavailable for a lot of the year the Crows have been forced to blood several youngsters and the majority look to have a bright future.
Sloane, Mackay, Henderson and Davis have looked good this year, and combine that with the continued development of Dangerfield, Walker, Douglas and Vince and Adelaide's prospects in 2011 aren't all that bleak.
They have been lacking some key experience at crucial stages of the last two games and it has cost them at important moments.
You could see that being a problem against the experienced and in form Bulldogs this week, but the Crows are always a hard nut to crack at home.
Last time they played a visiting team at home it was Geelong and they took the points that night so the Bulldogs will still need to bring every bit of their best form to win the game.
Adelaide's defence contained Jack Riewoldt last week through Rutten, and I could see him restricting Barry Hall. Johncock's return should help cover one of the Bulldogs smalls like a Gia or Higgins or perhaps even Johnson but it was Richmond's spread last week that got the better of the Crows.
Their defence is solid but lacks a bit of pace, and their midfield at this stage is a bit inconsistent given the young nature of the group.
This means the ball often comes down quickly and players find space more readily then normal against the Crows.
The Tigers had 11 goal kickers last week and kicked several sharp crumbing or stoppage goals after half time.
Adelaide rank third for restricting the opposition from marking inside fifty, but have been worse when the ball has hit the deck.
Expect Craig to be focusing on their front and square work in defence and protecting space in defensive fifty at a stoppage.
For the Bulldogs, the last month has been their best of the season. Big scores, lots of run, slick ball movement and four crushing wins on the trot has put them right in the mix for top four again.
Barry Hall is now joint leader in the Coleman, Jarrod Grant continues to develop whilst Johnson, Higgins, Giansiracusa and Murphy get better with each passing week.
Defensively the run provided by Gilbee, Harbrow, Murphy and co has been fantastic and Lake, Hargrave, Morris and Williams are all doing their job.
They can struggle at Aami Stadium from time to time, and with a game against Geelong to come, it is super critical that they get a result here.
Adelaide play with some flair but are primarily built on defence. The Bulldogs are the competitions slickest movers of the footy, and the most attacking, high scoring team in the competition so it's a battle of contrasts in many ways.
Lake will make life tough for the out of form Tippett, Morris should get Walker, Harbrow will take the porpoise, whilst Dangerfield and Henderson will need some close attention as well.
Jaensch and Sloane have been good of late and must be monitored also.
In the middle the Bulldogs spread of talent should shine through.
Boyd, Cooney, Cross, Higgins, Griffen and Gilbee should have too much for Vince, Van Berlo, Mackay, Thompson and potentially Goodwin.
Accuracy has been an issue of course as well for the crows. They are ranked 15th for converting shots this season so must sharpen up and take their chances, as they did against Geelong if they are to get home.
The Bulldogs are the number one side for marks once inside fifty, and as said above the Crows are one of the best at restricting this stat.
However I think they will struggle to contain the full compliment of scoring options at the Bulldogs disposal and try as they might they will eventually get outrun.
The Crows are capable of winning this game and the Bulldogs must be sharp, but with a top four berth on the line, and a fleet of quality players in form, they will be too strong.
For Adelaide, the difficult season that has been 2010 will finally be put to rest on Sunday.
Western Bulldogs by 22 points
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