The top of the table Sydney Swans travel to Adelaide to take on the Crows in a Saturday night prime time clash in what shapes as one of the matches of Round 14.
The Crows have failed to win their last two matches against the Hawks and Tigers, so a win on their home soil is a must to keep their finals hopes alive.
Despite last weekend’s 8-point loss to Richmond, Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson had 32 disposals while Luke Nankervis earned a Rising Star nomination with 27 of his own.
Darcy Fogarty appears to be warming into his role as a key forward with 3 goals, while Josh Rachele also contributed well booting 2.
The last time these two sides met it was the Swans prevailing by 1-point in Round 23 last season, with the final moments creating one of the biggest controversies of the year.
Ben Keays thought he’d given Adelaide the lead with a minute left on the clock, but at the time the goal umpire judged the ball had hit the post. Replays showed otherwise, and the AFL were forced to admit the decision was a mistake, which ultimately cost the Crows a spot in the finals.
The Crows currently are sitting 15th on the ladder after an inconsistent season, but this weekend will be buoyed by the return of livewire forward Izak Rankine from his hamstring injury, while Nick Murray and Brayden Cook also return.
Crows coach Matthew Nicks said he has faith in his team to upset the ladder leaders.
“We’re up against the best team in the competition but we know what we need to bring, it’s whether we actually bring it on the day,” Nicks said.
“We’ve put our heads down and gone to work ... and when you’ve got a group like we do you have confidence that they will bring it.
“We didn’t quite get to where we needed last week (against Richmond) but when you come up against the best, we know we’re going to lift.”
