Good-byes?
Some clubs have displayed indifferent form coming off a bye, but not Adelaide and Hawthorn. The Crows and Hawks have both won four of their last five games following the mid-season bye. Coincidentally, Adelaide’s only loss after the weekend off was against Hawthorn in Round 12, 2015. This time around, the Crows have enjoyed a 13-day break between games, while it’s been 12 days since the Hawks narrowly lost to Gold Coast.
Will Rory roam free?
Tagging has re-emerged as a tactic in 2017 and Crows vice-captain Rory Sloane has been a prime target. Arguably the best player in the competition in the first six rounds, Sloane was shut down in Adelaide’s back-to-back losses to North Melbourne and Melbourne, and clubs have adopted a similar approach with varying levels of success since.
The Hawks don’t generally play with a hard tag, preferring Liam Shiels – a proven ball winner in his own right – to be accountable for a particular opponent instead. Will Langford and Brendan Whitecross, to a lesser extent, have also had negating roles in the past. In Hawthorn’s most recent game against Gold Coast, two-time Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett was able to amass 37 possessions and two goals despite some attention.
Rory Sloane wrestles with Brisbane Lions onballer Nick Robertson
Thursday Night Thrills
The Crows will light up Adelaide Oval in the prime-time Thursday night slot for the fourth time. More than 137,000 fans have gone through the turnstiles to watch the Club’s previous three Thursday night fixtures, and another strong audience - both at the game and with those viewing/listening from elsewhere - beckons this time around. Adelaide’s first ever Thursday night game at the venue was against Collingwood in Round Nine, 2014. On that evening, the crowd of 50k plus was so loud it drowned out the three-quarter time siren, prompting organisers to pump up the volume.
Click on the play button above to relive the moment
The Crows have won two of their three matches in the popular TV timeslot. The Club’s only loss was to the Hawks, in front of 49,000 fans in Round 12, 2015.
Home and away
Hawthorn’s extended winning streak over the Crows included both encounters between the teams at Adelaide Oval in 2014 and 2015. The Hawks are one of only three clubs the Adelaide hasn’t beaten at the venue. The Crows fell short in its only attempt against Geelong in 2016. The Club is yet to host Carlton or the Western Bulldogs since moving from Football Park to Adelaide Oval in Season 2014.
Tall and small task
Hawthorn’s backline was dealt another blow during the week with Josh Gibson ruled out because of a groin complaint. The Hawks were already without key pillars James Frawley (toe) and Ben Stratton (knee), who has been effective against Crows star Eddie Betts in the past. South Australian Ryan Schoenmakers has been recalled for Thursday night’s game, potentially to help combat the height of Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins and swingman Andy Otten in the Adelaide attack.
The Hawks backline has received a significant boost in the smaller-man department, with premiership players Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall returning from injury. At the other end of the ground, Hawthorn will be hoping its small forwards continue their run of good form against Adelaide. Luke Breust, who has also been included in the team after missing the loss to Gold Coast through illness, has kicked 14 goals in his last four clashes with the Crows. The lively Paul Puopoplo has kicked eight in his last two games against Adelaide. Match winner Cyril Rioli (knee) will be missing again this week.
