Preview: Sydney v Adelaide

VENUE & TIME: SCG, Saturday 26 July, 7:10pm AEST.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 26, Adelaide 18, Sydney 8.
LAST TIME: Adelaide 9.7 (61) def. Sydney 5.14 (44), Round 4, 2007 at AAMI Stadium.

WALKING WOUNDED: Full forward Barry Hall has served his club-imposed two-week ban and is set to return to the line-up after the team psychologist gave him the all clear. Ryan O'Keefe hurt his ankle and Leo Barry strained his hamstring against Carlton but might be right to play while Nic Fosdike (hamstring) and Nick Malceski (calf) will be tested before the squad is named. Ed Barlow (hamstring) and Matthew Laidlaw (hamstring) have also overcome their injuries. Small forward Jason Porplyzia, who dislocated his shoulder against Collingwood in Round 15, was back training this week and could be an important inclusion for the Crows. He's the only injured player pushing for selection with Brent Reilly's strained medial ligament set to keep him out for two more weeks while Trent Hentschel continues to battle niggling injuries on the training track.

FORM: It's hard to know what to make of Sydney's past five weeks which has featured three wins and two losses. The Swans had comfortable wins over the Saints and the Demons and last weekend they recorded a thrilling two-point victory over Carlton. Their losses were against Collingwood and Hawthorn in Rounds 14 and 15. Adelaide has lost its past five games and in doing so has slipped to ninth spot. Four of those losses have been against sides in the top eight but on the weekend they went down to their arch rivals Port Adelaide.

WHO'S HOT: Brett Kirk's tagging job on Chris Judd was a negative but match-winning role. The Swans captain kept the dangerous Judd to just 14 possessions while picking up 18 touches of his own. Kirk's discipline in the midfield allows the team's other onballers to step up when the game is up for grabs. Michael Doughty was the Crows' best player in a disappointing Showdown XXV. He collected 19 kicks, 10 handballs, eight tackles and his two late goals gave his team a sniff of victory when the clash against the Power appeared over. The performance continues a career best-season for Doughty who enjoys the wide open spaces of AAMI Stadium.

WE THINK: The big question is whether the inclusion of Barry Hall will help or hinder Sydney's chance of recording their 11th win for the season. Hall has struggled to produce his best this season and the hype surrounding his comeback is sure to have an impact on the players. However the team is on a high after edging out Carlton last week and with the likes of Kirk, Darren Jolly and Jarrad McVeigh in good form there's every chance they be able to consolidate their place in the top four. Adelaide has a fantastic record against Sydney with the Crows winning the past four encounters between the two sides. The key to Adelaide's success has been its ability to match the Swans contested football count and they'll be looking to do that again on Saturday night. They've also had success in frustrating Hall by starving the big forward of space. But they'll have to improve on their Round 16 performance where they struggled in defence and were beaten by Port in and under the packs. It's do-or-die for the Crows and that motivation should see them stage an upset. Adelaide by 9 points.