Preview: Adelaide v Collingwood
VENUE & TIME: AAMI Stadium, Saturday 6 September, 2.30 pm AEST
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 28, Adelaide 10, Collingwood 18
LAST TIME: Collingwood 15.16 (106) def. Adelaide 11.8 (74), Round 15, 2008 at MCG.
WALKING WOUNDED: Adelaide got through last week's game against the Western Bulldogs unscathed and is unlikely to make any changes to its line-up. Luke Jericho and Trent Hentschel remain sidelined with hamstring injuries and its becoming increasingly unlikely they'll be considered again this season. The ongoing concern for the Crows is Jason Porplyzia. He dislocated his shoulder at training last week and at times looked tentative on the weekend. Three of Collingwood's best players are injured but could be available for the Elimination Final. Skipper Scott Burns and Dale Thomas are trying to put calf strains behind them while veteran Shane Wakelin (groin) will be tested by medicos before being considered for selection. The Pies will have to venture deep into the finals series for Anthony Rocca (ankle) to be any chance of playing again this year.
FORM: Adelaide bounced back to form with a thrilling nine-point victory over the Western Bulldogs in Round 22. It was its only win against a top-four side this season and makes its loss to St Kilda the week before seem like a distant memory. The Crows finished the home and away season with a 13-9 record which included five wins from their last six games. Collingwood's home and away season couldn't have finished in a more disappointing fashion - its 24-point loss to Fremantle cost them fourth spot and the double chance. The club will be hoping that poor performance was only an aberration as before that they had strung three impressive victories together. They finished the year with a 12-10 record.
WHO'S HOT: Most of Adelaide's midfielders, including Chris Knights, Nathan van Berlo and Michael Doughty, are winning plenty of the ball but the form of Scott Stevens is equally important to the side. The under-rated Crow can play at either end of the park and put in a competitive, 19-possession performance against the Western Bulldogs last week. He kicked 1.3 and could prove a surprising match-winner if he's more accurate on the weekend. Leon Davis has always been magic for Collingwood but this season he's brought a degree of consistency and selflessness to his game. He was a stand-out performer in the Magpies' loss against the Dockers with 23 possessions. Davis has played 20 games this year, averaged 17 disposals and has kicked 34 goals ensuring he's a key to his side's success at AAMI Stadium.
WE THINK: Adelaide would've been dirty when St Kilda trounced Essendon last Sunday but once the dust had settled on a dramatic Round 22 they were left with plenty of positives heading into the finals series. They displayed grit and determination to knock off the Dogs, they earned a home final and take on an opposition that suffered an embarrassing loss to Fremantle. The Crows have only put in one bad performance in the last six weeks and are finding ways to kick winning scores. Their defence is almost boring in its consistency while their midfield is collecting plenty of ball. Their only concern is whether the injured Porplyzia will be a help or a hindrance considering it's all hands on deck in these big