You only have to go back to Round 13 to find the most straight forward instance of these two areas being crucial to the end result.
On that evening, Adelaide defeated North by 36 points, while having a +34 edge from scores at stoppages.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell just how well a side is travelling in a certain statistic. After all, if they score 40 points from stoppages, but require 80 clearances to get there – is that better than 30 points from 15 stoppages?
So once the scores from stoppages are averaged out into a ‘strike rate’ – points per 100 stoppages – we can accurately judge a side’s prowess.
When Adelaide last played North, it had a strike rate of 123.7. Compare that to the AFL average for the season, 86.9, and the edge the Crows had when the teams last met is apparent.
Not only did Adelaide cause troubles offensively, it was also able to stem the flow of North when conceding a clearance. The Kangaroos had a strike rate of just 36.1 at Adelaide Oval. When the numbers are compared, the Crows’ dominance is obvious.
| Round 13 | Total clearances | Total points from stoppages | Strike rate |
| Adelaide | 38 | 47 | 123.7 |
| North Melbourne | 36 | 13 | 36.1 |
| Differential | +2 | +34 | +87.6 |
As the stats show, Adelaide only had 2 more total clearances, but made them count. It was able to keep possession and score, and a large part of it was due to its marking strength.
During 2014, opponents have been able to hurt North by keeping possession and using the ball methodically. This also doubles as a key part of Adelaide’s style of play.
For the season, the Crows rank 16th in mark-play on percentage, opting to do so only 29.4 per cent of the time. The last time they played North, the number was even lower – 23.8.
Round 13 was a similar story to how other teams have been able to defeat the Kangaroos.
| Round, Opponent | Mark-play on % |
| Round 13 v Adelaide | 23.8% |
| Round 1 v Essendon | 25.2% |
| Round 18 v Carlton (second half) | 26.8% |
| Round 15 v Brisbane | 28.6% |
With perfect conditions forecast for Blundstone Arena, both sides will have the chance to play their preferred game style. For Adelaide, that will likely mean the uncontested marking style that has stymied its opposition in the past.
For the Kangaroos to turn the tables of recent history, it will have to apply pressure to stop the string of marks, in-turn restricting the Crows’ inside 50 entries.
In Round 13, Adelaide was able to go inside 50 on 59 occasions; the sheer weight of numbers putting North’s defenders under the pump.
