HEAD TO HEAD: Adelaide 16 wins, West Coast 18 wins, no draws
LAST TIME: Adelaide 17.15 (117) d West Coast 14.11 (95), round 15, 2010 at Patersons Stadium
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A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM: Adelaide: LWLLL West Coast: LWWLW
SUMMARY
The Crows have now lost their last three games following a disappointing showing against North Melbourne last Sunday, and coach Neil Craig has conceded a finals appearance this year seems unlikely.
Craig's men have struggled to win both contested possessions and clearances with the coach at a loss to explain why and you can be sure that once again those areas will be a focus on Saturday against the Eagles.
West Coast started well against the Suns last week but was shaky at times and it wasn't a convincing win by any means.
They have already conquered Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round two, and that win will give them plenty of confidence as they return to the ground again to face the Crows.
Adelaide forward Kurt Tippett was one of the Crows' better players in their loss to North Melbourne kicking 3.5 (including two posters).
The last time these sides met, Tippett booted four goals in the win, and will need to be on song once again if the Crows are to have any chance.
At the other end of the ground, Adelaide defender Ben Rutten will have his work cut out for him with the tall timber in the Eagles’ forward line.
Although his past record against Josh Kennedy works in his favour with the Eagles' leading goal kicker held goalless by Rutten in last season's encounter.
QUESTION MARKS
Can Adelaide beat West Coast at the stoppages? The Crows were smashed in the clearances 52 to 34 last week against North Melbourne and will need to up the ante against the Eagles. But winning the clearances will be made all the more difficult with big Dean Cox in superb form for the Eagles.
Can the Eagles get their forward press back working at its best? Their pressure and ability to keep the ball in their attacking 50 has been a highlight of West Coast this year but against Collingwood two weeks ago it came apart. It was effective in the first half against the Suns but fell away in the second half and the press will need to be in full force against the Crows to shut them out of the game early.
PREDICTION
West Coast by 15 points
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
Keep an eye on Eagles star Mark LeCras ($348,400) over the next few weeks, as he could become a handy upgrade option in the forward line. The Frenchman has been spending a lot more time in the midfield since his return from a groin injury and in his last three games he has averaged 108 Dream Team points. Excusing a 57 two weeks ago against the Pies he has scored 98, 140 and 128 over the past month and looks set to maintain that form.
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The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
