For the first time this season, North will face a team for the second time. It’ll be a different Adelaide side to the one the Roos saw in Round 1.

With four consecutive wins before its bye, Adelaide has significantly tightened in defence, making it a more dangerous outfit.

In the first eight rounds of the season, the Crows were conceding almost 100 points per game, including the 107 North scored in the season opener.

However, in wins against Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney, St Kilda and West Coast, that number has dropped to just 70.

The last victory of the four was particularly impressive. At the hostile Domain Stadium, Adelaide kept the Eagles goalless from the 15 minute mark of the third quarter, and scoreless for the entire last term.

A 26-point deficit turned into a 29-point win and put the Crows within reach of a top four spot.

The Adelaide backline has developed into a well-balanced one, with a variety of players. Daniel Talia is the unquestioned leader, but the likes of Jake Lever, Kyle Hartigan and Kyle Cheney can play on the key position players.

Rory Laird and Paul Seedsman provide much of the run and carry for the Crows off the half-back line, both very dangerous with ball in hand. In the last meeting between the sides, North’s forward pressure at ground level was a key to victory, and it’ll have to be similar again at Adelaide Oval.

The Crows possess a formidable home ground advantage, having won 10 of their last 11 at the venue.

It’s also been an unhappy hunting ground for the Roos so far in its short history. Both trips to Adelaide Oval – one in 2014 and one in 2015 – ended in heavy loss.

The Crows’ only loss at Adelaide Oval in 2016 came to a Geelong side which currently sits on top of the ladder, with the wins coming against St Kilda, Greater Western Sydney, Fremantle, Sydney and Port Adelaide.

In the five wins, Adelaide’s averaged almost 120 points per game and its high-powered forward line has relished home comforts.

Four players have kicked more than 20 goals for the season. Josh Jenkins (37) leads the way, with Eddie Betts (33), Taylor Walker (29) and Tom Lynch (21) not too far behind.

Luke McDonald was able to shut down Lynch in Round 1, which means the Roo’s absence due to injury will be felt on Thursday night.

Jenkins was the Crows’ best forward in that meeting, kicking five goals. Robbie Tarrant spent the night on Taylor Walker (two goals), so there could be a matchup reshuffle.