SUMMARY
Saturday’s SANFL clash at Elizabeth is a massive match for both clubs for different reasons. Victory could launch the Crows as high as third if other results go their way, with just one win separating third-placed Norwood and Adelaide in seventh spot. Central District must win to keep its finals hopes alive. There’s a long way to go, but the Bulldogs are already four victories outside the five and cannot afford another loss this weekend. My Money House Oval hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Crows in recent times and the Bulldogs remain one of the top contested ball teams in the SANFL despite their indifferent form. Saturday’s contest looms as a good test for Adelaide’s young brigade following the mid-season bye.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 2
Central District: 6
WHERE AND WHEN: My Money House Oval, Saturday, June 24, 2.10pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R3, 2017 Central District 13.19 (97) d Adelaide 6.7 (43) at My Money House Oval
EF, 2016, Adelaide 19.11 (125) d Central District 7.11 (53) at Adelaide Oval
R13, 2016, Central District 17.8 (110) d Adelaide 8.7 (55) at My Money House Oval
R9, 2016, Central District 15.9 (99) d Adelaide 12.4 (76) at My Money House Oval
R13, 2015, Central District 12.4 (76) d Adelaide 6.5 (41) at Playford Alive Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Bulldogs handed Adelaide its first loss of the season in Round Three. Reilly O’Brien bagged three goals while Scott Thompson had a team-best 21 possessions.
2. First-year Crow Elliott Himmelberg leads the SANFL Crows for goals (11), goal assists (8) and score assists (15) so far this season. More mid-season SANFL stats
3. Central District boasts a 6-2 head-to-head record against the SANFL Crows – the best of any club in the competition.
4. Adelaide’s two-point win over Norwood leading into the bye was the Club’s third SANFL win by a goal or less in Season 2017.
5. Adelaide’s inaugural SANFL victory was against the Bulldogs in Round Three, 2014. The Crows downed the Dogs by 52 points 16.17 (113) to 9.7 (61).
6. Central’s Nick Holman (134) and Travis Schiller (121) are the SANFL’s top two players for contested possessions. Scott Thompson (107) leads the way for Adelaide despite missing two matches.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Paul Seedsman
Seedsman moved well in his first game of the year against Norwood a fortnight ago. The 25-year-old started on a wing and worked his way into the match nicely, recording 17 disposals, seven marks, four inside 50ms and four rebound 50ms in a promising display. The former Magpie is one of the most damaging players on Adelaide’s list when he’s at full flight and could yet play an important role in the second half of the season if he can earn a spot back in the Club’s senior side.
