LYNCH PIN

Gold Coast forwards Tom Lynch and Sam Day loom large over this contest, even more so given the defensive outs for Adelaide. Kyle Hartigan (hamstring) and Jake Kelly (hand) will both miss, forcing a reshuffle in the back six.

In eight games against Adelaide, Lynch has kicked 12 goals, below his career average of two per game.

Daniel Talia will almost certainly go to Lynch and the two-time All Australian full-back will be full of confidence after keeping Sydney Swans superstar Lance Franklin to just nine disposals and a solitary goal last Friday night.

Daniel Talia and Tom Lynch have enjoyed some good battles over the years

ROLL OUT THE WELCOME MATT

Reigning Crows Club Champion and All-Australian Matt Crouch returns after missing three games because of a hamstring injury.

The midfielder’s last stint on the sidelines was in Rounds 9 – 10 of the 2016 season. In a positive sign for Adelaide, Crouch recorded a season-high 36 disposals and won nine clearances in his comeback game that year.

In Round One – the only game Crouch has played the entirety of this season – he amassed 41 touches and seven clearances. With Rory Sloane, who will miss consecutive games for the first time since 2015, sidelined Adelaide will be hoping Crouch can pick up where he left off as the home team aims to keep its perfect record against the Suns intact.

CAM’S RUN

Strongly-built onballer Cameron Ellis-Yolmen has made the most of his chances so far this season, set to play six consecutive AFL games for the first time in his career.

Ellis-Yolmen has collected 100 disposals over the opening five rounds, half of which have been contested, and is operating at 72 per cent disposal efficiency. He has laid the most tackles (28) than any Crow this season.

The biggest milestone on Saturday night belongs to Adelaide utility Andy Otten, who will celebrate his 100th game, nine years and 317 days after making his AFL debut. Otten surpasses another No.22, Ian Perrie (eight years and 74 days) as the Crow with the longest wait to the ton.

BARLOW’S BACK

On Saturday night, Michael Barlow will play his first game at AFL level since Round 13, 2017. Barlow returns in good form, having amassed 46 disposals in his last hit-out at NEAFL level. He’s faced the Crows 11 times over his career and averages 28 disposals and a goal. He has also recorded a total of 130 contested possessions against Adelaide, more than against any other opponent.

TOUK HIM OUT

Gold Coast midfielder Touk Miller received high praise last weekend after restricting Brisbane Lions star Dayne Zorko to 10 disposals while collecting 21 of his own. Matt Crouch and Bryce Gibbs will be on alert for the possibility of a tag from Touk this weekend.

PRIME NUMBERS

Adelaide captain Taylor Walker has a superb record against the Suns, with 27 goals from seven meetings, including three separate hauls of five.

Meanwhile, recruit Bryce Gibbs will take the field against the Suns for the first time as a Crow. As a Blue, he averaged 27 possessions against Gold Coast, his highest average against any side. He is currently averaging exactly that across the opening five rounds of 2018.