WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday 5 June, 2.10pm
HEAD TO HEAD: North Melbourne 15 wins, Adelaide 16 wins, no draws
LAST TIME: North Melbourne 12.12 (84) d Adelaide 11.9 (75), round 8, 2010 at Etihad Stadium
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM: North Melbourne: WLWLL Adelaide: WLWLL
SUMMARY
This game suddenly shapes as the battle of the battlers. After going down to the Sydney Swans by one point at Etihad Stadium last weekend, North Melbourne has slumped to 14th on the ladder with a 2-7 win-loss record. Poor kicking - both for goal and in general play - cost the Kangaroos victory over the Swans. Having talked up their chances of making the finals during the pre-season, the Roos now appear certain to finish outside the top eight.
Adelaide is also in disarray after it was thrashed at home by the lowly Brisbane Lions in round 10. The Crows' pitiful effort in their clash with the Lions was a far cry from their impressive performance in the first three quarters against Collingwood a week earlier. Their coach Neil Craig was understandably furious when he addressed the media following the game, labeling his players "immature". Adelaide is now only one place ahead of North Melbourne on the ladder.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Kangaroos finally turn their ball-winning ability into a victory on the scoreboard? Against the Swans last week, the Roos won the contested possessions 155 to 131 and dominated the clearances and inside-50s. Yet they still found a way to lose.
Which is the real Adelaide team? The Crows looked so good during much of their round nine contest with Collingwood. In setting up a 30-point half-time lead, they moved the ball quickly through the middle of the ground and gave big forward Kurt Tippett plenty of opportunities. Against the Lions, however, Craig's men were lifeless and devoid of run.
PREDICTION
North Melbourne by 10 points
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
North Melbourne forward Drew Petrie's last two weeks have been sensational from a Dream Team perspective. He racked up 125 points against the Lions at the Gabba in round nine, then backed it up with 109 in the narrow loss to the Swans. Petrie's value has soared to $327,100, which is a $117,400 increase on his starting price.
Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs has averaged almost 82 points per game since returning from injury six weeks ago. Now worth $321,000, Jacobs was one of few shining lights in the debacle against the Lions, picking up 95 points.
Follow the game live in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au and join the conversation on Twitter using #aflrooscrows
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
