Preview: Richmond v Adelaide
VENUE & TIME: Carrara, Saturday 4 July, 7.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 25, Richmond 8, Adelaide 17
LAST TIME: Adelaide 16.12 (108) def Richmond 6.9 (45) Round 19, 2008 at AAMI Stadium
WALKING WOUNDED: A pair of Richmond veterans in Nathan Brown (groin) and Troy Simmonds (adductor) will again be pushing for recalls this week while Matt White is available after overcoming a hamstring injury. Champion Matthew Richardson is still at least five weeks away from fully overcoming his hamstring tendon injury but it was revealed on Tuesday he may not return again this season.
Adelaide will be hoping to regain the services of Brent Reilly (hamstring) and in a major boost for the team, star forward Brett Burton is finally listed as 'available' after rupturing the ACL in his left knee almost 12 months ago. Captain Simon Goodwin is still struggling with a knee injury and will miss again. In a blow to the Crows' ruck stocks, Brad Moran looks set to miss the rest of the year with a knee injury while fellow big man Jonathan Griffin (calf) is still at least a week away. Forwards Trent Hentschel (1-2 weeks) and Nick Gill (six) are still sidelined with knee and ankle injuries respectively.
FORM: The Tigers' last month has provided a mixed bag of results. They've recorded impressive wins over fellow cellar-dwellers Fremantle and West Coast but have been on the end of almighty canings at the hands of flag contenders Western Bulldogs and St Kilda. In their most recent effort against the Saints, they were held scoreless for 77 minutes of playing time in pristine conditions at Etihad Stadium before losing by 56 points.
Adelaide has won its past five matches to now sit in sixth spot on the ladder. The Crows were languishing in 12th spot with just three wins after Round 8 but, out of necessity, coach Neil Craig audaciously tinkered their game style and they are now reaping the benefits. In the first eight rounds Adelaide was averaging less than 12 goals a game, but in the past five weeks it has averaged almost 15.
WHO'S HOT: Young gun Nathan Foley has been a shining light in the past five weeks for Richmond, averaging over 29 touches a game in that period, and he was one of a select few Tigers that didn't stop trying in their debacle against the Saints on Sunday, racking up 30 touches.
Adelaide forward Jason Porplyzia has enjoyed a purple patch in the past fortnight, accumulating a total of 35 disposals and seven goals - including a match-winning performance against Sydney on the weekend.
WE THINK: The rejuvenated Crows are simply playing for far too much to drop this one. With a top-four spot well and truly up for grabs, don't expect Adelaide to be taking its foot off the pedal any time soon, although it would be forgiven for doing so against Richmond. The Tigers were downright awful against St Kilda last week and if they produce an encore performance against an Adelaide side now renowned for its attacking prowess, then scoreless quarters could again be on the agenda for the lads from Punt Road. History is also against Richmond, having lost 11 of its past 12 matches against Adelaide - caretaker Jade Rawlings might even consider resorting to the 'basketball crap' game style that conjured an upset victory against the Crows in 2006. While the loss of Brad Moran will unsettle Adelaide's forward structure to some degree with Kurt Tippett most likely having to do more ruck work, the Crows have too much class and skill across the board. And this ground won't hold any fears for Adelaide either as it has won both matches it's played here since the ground was reactivated as an AFL venue in 2006. Conversely, this stadium will be unfamiliar territory for Richmond which hasn't played here since the old Brisbane Bears called it home. Adelaide by 42 points.