SUMMARY
The SANFL Crows head to Berri for a rumble in the Riverland against reigning premiers West Adelaide on Sunday afternoon. The region has been a gold mine for AFL talent over the years, with Crows legends such as Mark Ricciuto and Tony Modra (who will be in attendance this weekend) among Riverland football royalty. It’s also been a strong recruiting zone for West Adelaide over the years, and the Bloods will be eager to put together an improved performance after what’s been a disappointing year on the field. Westies have been cruelled by injuries but nobody could’ve predicted their fall from premiership glory to a likely wooden spoon. The Crows, meanwhile, are building towards their first SANFL finals campaign in Club history and can still sneak into the top three if the wins continue and other results fall their way.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 2
West Adelaide: 3
WHERE AND WHEN: Berri Oval, Sunday, August 21, 1.10pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R1, 2016, West Adelaide 7.8 (50) d by Adelaide 18.16 (124) at City Mazda Stadium
R15, 2015, West Adelaide 9.4 (58) d by Adelaide 18.13 (121) at City Mazda Stadium
R3, 2015, West Adelaide 15.13 (103) d Adelaide 11.8 (74) at City Mazda Stadium
R12, 2014, West Adelaide 5.11 (41) by Adelaide 4.11 (35) at City Mazda Stadium
R6, 2014, West Adelaide 12.7 (79) d Adelaide 6.6 (42) at City Mazda Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Harry Dear kicked four goals and Jonathon Beech booted three in his first game against his former club in Adelaide’s 74-point win over West Adelaide in the opening round of the season. It remains Adelaide’s biggest win of the year.
2. West Adelaide holds a 3-2 advantage in the head-to-head ledger, but Adelaide has won the two most recent meetings between the two teams. Both wins were by more than 10 goals.
3. The Bloods and Crows are the bottom ranked teams for free kicks paid in 2016. Adelaide has received 254 free kicks this season, 74 less than West Adelaide. South Adelaide ranks No.1 with 457 free kicks paid for the Panthers.
4. Adelaide was held to its lowest SANFL score ever against West Adelaide in torrid conditions in Round 12, 2014. The Crows kicked 4.11 (35), but only lost the game by one goal.
5. West Adelaide will be hoping captain Chris Schmidt can overcome a shoulder injury sustained against Norwood a fortnight ago. The former Crow leads the Bloods in most major statistical categories, including disposals, marks, hard-ball gets and handball receives.
6. Riley Knight had five direct score assists in his return from injury against Norwood last week, the most of any player in the SANFL for Round 20.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Jonathon Beech
The Barmera boy will be eager to put in a strong performance in front of family and friends in the Riverland this weekend. Beech has recaptured his early-season form after a slight mid-year lull which also included two games on the sidelines due to injury. The rookie was a clear best-on-ground in Adelaide’s big win over Norwood and is No.1 for the SANFL Crows for effective kicks, marks and goal assists through the past three games as he chases a second consecutive SANFL premiership.
