AFL Media's Lee Gaskin previews Carlton's clash against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night...
SUMMARY
Former favourite son Bryce Gibbs will face Carlton for the first time when the Crows host the winless Blues at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. Gibbs has been outstanding for the Crows since moving back to South Australia at the end of last season, averaging career-highs in disposals, inside 50s and clearances. He's received plenty of support in the midfield. Reigning best and fairest Matt Crouch returned last week from a hamstring injury, Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Hugh Greenwood have done the grunt work and Paul Seedsman and Rory Atkins win the ball on the outside. The experience of the Crows in all parts of the ground is going to be hard for the Blues' youngsters to cope with. Tough midfielder Patrick Cripps has played a lone hand for the Blues, who are 0-6 for the first time in the club's proud history. This would be a monumental upset if the Blues could somehow pull it off.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, May 5, 7.10pm ACST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R15, 2017, Adelaide 13.11 (89) d Carlton 12.5 (77) at the MCG
R16, 2016, Adelaide 16.11 (107) d Carlton 7.5 (47) at the MCG
R10, 2015, Adelaide 14.15 (99) d Carlton 14.6 (90) at the MCG
R10, 2014, Carlton 12.9 (81) d Adelaide 10.16 (76) at the MCG
R5, 2013, Carlton 17.13 (115) d Adelaide 12.11 (83) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Blues went close to pulling off a huge upset in last year's clash on the back of winning more of the footy (394 disposals to 353), taking 44 more marks and breaking even with inside 50s. Bryce Gibbs starred for the Blues with 30 disposals and two goals, while Josh Jenkins banged home three majors for the Crows.
2. It's chalk and cheese when it comes to the attacking power of these two sides. The Crows are fourth in the League for scoring with 93 points per game compared to 66 points for the Blues. It's been 39 games since the Blues have cracked triple figures.
3. The overall ledger is all square between the two clubs in 36 meetings, with 18 wins each since the Crows entered the competition in 1991. The Crows have won the past three meetings, but haven't won four in a row since 2008-09.
4. The Blues are the lowest-ranked disposal team in the competition, averaging 346.2 per game, and are in the bottom three for kicks and handballs. In stark contrast, the Crows are ranked second in the League for disposals, averaging 405.5 per game.
5. The Blues' record at Adelaide Oval is ugly. They've played twice at the ground – losing to Port Adelaide by 103 points in 2014, and 90 points last year. But there is a positive – the Blues beat the Crows by 48 points the last time the two sides met in Adelaide, however it was eight long years ago at Football Park.
6. Adelaide winger Paul Seedsman has made a brilliant start to the season, scoring the most Schick AFL Player Rating points by a Crows player from rounds 3-6. His average of 16.8 is tied for 11th in the League, and will see his overall ranking of 334 rapidly improve.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Ever since Bryce Gibbs joined the Crows on the final day of last year's NAB AFL Trade Period, this game was one circled on the calendar. Gibbs was a brilliant player for the Blues during his 231 games and 11 seasons at the club, but the dynamic midfielder has taken his game to a new level since making the move back to South Australia.
