VENUE & TIME: MCG, Friday August 14, 7.40pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 28, Hawthorn 12, Adelaide 16
LAST TIME: Adelaide 16.10 (106) d Hawthorn 12.7 (79) Round 10, 2009 at AAMI Stadium.

WALKING WOUNDED: The Hawks have finally confirmed Trent Croad (broken foot) will miss the rest of the season but key forward Jarryd Roughead (knee) was an unexpected casualty this week. Stuart Dew has announced his retirement at the end of the season but still hopes his hamstring strain heals in time to play a part in this campaign. Brent Guerra (shoulder) and Xavier Ellis (ankle) face fitness tests. The Crows also have several injury concerns. Brett Burton has a corked glute, while Patrick Dangerfield (back) and David Mackay (hamstring) face fitness tests. Nathan Bock is battling a sore heel.

FORM: For the Hawks, major concerns abound. They have dropped their past three, including a woeful 25-point loss to a depleted St Kilda in Launceston last weekend. The Hawks may have won three of their past four against the Crows but they lost the Round 10 clash this season. The Crows, however, have slipped in recent weeks as well, dropping their past two after winning eight of their previous nine.

WHO'S HOT: Certainly not Lance Franklin. He was held goal-less by former teammate Zac Dawson against St Kilda, collected most of his 19 possessions on the half-back line and capped off a bad day by losing a tooth. The Hawks’ midfield may have lacked the bite of last year, but skipper Sam Mitchell continues to lead the way, averaging a team-high 29 disposals. For the Crows, hard-nut midfielder Scott Thompson has enjoyed another strong year, averaging 27 touches. After some indifferent form mid-year, Andrew McLeod has rediscovered his zest, having 30 disposals against Port Adelaide in Round 17 and 31 against the Magpies last week. Kurt Tippett (41 goals) and Jason Porplyzia (40) have been a dynamic combo.

WE THINK: There’s plenty on the line for both teams. The Crows have suddenly slipped to seventh but remain just one behind fourth spot and the double-chance. This looms as the last roll of the dice for the Hawks. Despite recent wobbles, they remain just a game ajar of the top eight and can still barge their way in with wins over the Crows, Richmond and Essendon. This is a tough one but we’ll go for the Crows now Roughead is out. Adelaide by 11 points.