Go inside the Adelaide camp as the Blues prepare to host the Crows at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night:

OVERVIEW

Ladder position: 12th
Won: 11
Lost: 10
Form: WLWLW
Average points for: 85
Average points against: 86
Leading goalkickers: Josh Jenkins (39), Eddie Betts (26), Taylor Walker (26), Hugh Greenwood (16), Mitch McGovern (15)

AGE BREAKDOWN FOR SATURDAY NIGHT (CARLTON IN BRACKETS)

Players aged 18-21: 3 (9)

Players aged 22-25: 7 (5)

Players aged 26-29: 8 (4)

Players aged 30+: 4 (4)

FORM

Adelaide’s recent form over the last month and half has been strong, albeit timed too late to cement a spot in finals. 

After a 57-point loss in the Grand Final rematch against Richmond, the Crows have won four of their past six games. That includes scalps against Geelong and a memorable Showdown victory.

Adelaide held North Melbourne at an arm’s length for the majority of the Round 22 clash, before the Kangaroos made a late charge. However, an Eddie Betts goal secured Adelaide’s 11th win of the season.

Despite it being a disappointing season from the Crows’ perspective, they have shown their best footy at times and will be desperate to end the year on a high. 

INJURY WATCH

Injuries have riddled Adelaide’s season, with the loss of promising defender Tom Doedee (fractured collarbone) adding to their troubles.

Brodie Smith and Daniel Talia will also be out of action, after missing last weekend’s victory over North Melbourne due to leg injuries. Captain Taylor Walker is suspended. 

The Crows have been unable to call upon important midfielder Brad Crouch all season due to osteitis pubis.

GAME STYLE

So often a feature of its game in last year’s run to the Grand Final, offence has been the key for Adelaide under Don Pyke.

When the Crows manage to get the ball moving forward in a manner advantageous to their forwards, they’re one of the hardest sides in the competition to stop. 

In its 11 wins this season, Adelaide has averaged 98 points per game. Conversely, its losses have been marked by averaging under 70 points. 

The Crows are ranked second in the competition for contested possessions, while they’re also the second-highest kicking team in the AFL (behind West Coast).

THE QUERY

Patches in games has let Adelaide down in its losses this year, unable to stop the opposition from piling on a run of goals. 

In all bar one of their losses this year, the Crows have seen the opposing side pile on at least four consecutive goals at some stage in the game.

Despite the victory last week, there were nervy moments for the home fans at Adelaide Oval, with North Melbourne’s four straight goals in the final term making for some nervy final moments. 

If the Blues can take the game to the Crows and build some positive momentum throughout the match, Adelaide will have to stand up to the test. 

THE DANGERMEN

Two players in different positions of the ground have been Adelaide’s most prolific in 2018, with Matt Crouch and Rory Laird averaging 32 disposals per game each.

Last year’s Club Champion, Crouch has stood up throughout his 17 games this season, providing the bullocking work alongside the likes of Bryce Gibbs and Rory Sloane. His 46 disposals last weekend was a career-high.

On the other hand, Laird has continued to stamp himself as one of the elite defenders in the game. His run-and-drive has been invaluable to Adelaide, as seen by collecting 40 or more disposals on four occasions in 2018.

FINAL WORDS FROM THE OPPOSITION

Adelaide senior coach Don Pyke stressed the importance of his side finishing off what’s been a frustrating year on the right note. 

“It’s the last game of the season. Both sides will obviously know finals aren’t on the agenda but there’s still four points up for grabs,” Pyke said.

“As a football club, we want to be unconditional until the end. We want to finish the year strongly and take some positivity into the off-season.

“We know Carlton has got the three talls in McKay, Curnow and young De Koning, so we’ll weigh up what the best mix is.”