WHO: Adelaide v North Melbourne
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Thursday June 23, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Broadcast guide
TICKETS: Purchase tickets
THE LAST FIVE
R1, 2016: North Melbourne 16.11 (107) d Adelaide Crows 14.13 (97) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2015: Adelaide Crows 21.14 (140) d North Melbourne 9.9 (63) at Adelaide Oval
R22, 2014: North Melbourne 14.17 (101) d Adelaide Crows 13.16 (94) at Blundstone Arena
R13, 2014: Adelaide Crows 16.13 (109) d North Melbourne 10.13 (73) at Adelaide Oval
R20, 2013: Adelaide Crows 11.13 (79) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at AAMI Stadium
SUMMARY (AFL.COM.AU)
The Crows are flying high on the back of a four-game winning streak and their superb last quarter comeback victory against West Coast in Perth. Suddenly, a top-four finish looks like a distinct possibility if the Crows can hit the ground running after the bye. Rory Sloane is in career-best form, defender Rory Laird is pushing his claims for All Australian selection and the forward line trio of Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins and Taylor Walker is hard to stop.
But the Crows can't take a desperate North Melbourne side for granted. After winning nine on the trot to start the season, the Kangaroos are in strife having lost in three of their past four matches. This is a crucial game for the visitors if they're to stop their slide down the ladder.
Adelaide has won its last four matches in a row, including a victory against West Coast in Perth.
THE HEADLINES
North's timely returns
North Melbourne has regained two of its fiercest competitors for what could be a slog… MORE
ET: Crows brace for Roos
The Crows are braced for North to attempt the same tactics it used on Hawthorn… MORE
Last Time: Adelaide
All the highlights from the last time North Melbourne faced Adelaide… MORE
TEAMS
Adelaide
B: Jake Lever, Kyle Hartigan, Brodie Smith
HB: Rory Laird, Daniel Talia, Kyle Cheney
C: David Mackay, Scott Thompson, Rory Sloane
HF: Richard Douglas, Josh Jenkins, Charlie Cameron
F: Tom Lynch, Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts
Fol: Sam Jacobs, Jarryd Lyons, Matt Crouch
Int: Brad Crouch, Luke Brown, Rory Atkins, Mitch McGovern
Emer: Andy Otten, Wayne Milera, Ricky Henderson
In: Brad Crouch
Out: Paul Seedsman (hamstring)
North Melbourne
B: Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito, Brad McKenzie
HB: Shaun Atley, Robbie Tarrant, Sam Gibson
C: Farren Ray, Andrew Swallow, Jamie Macmillan
HF: Nick Dal Santo, Ben Brown, Brent Harvey
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Mason Wood
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell
Int: Trent Dumont, Aaron Mullett, Majak Daw, Corey Wagner
Emer: Lachlan Hansen, Ryan Clarke, Robbie Nahas
In: Andrew Swallow, Ben Cunnington
Out: Daniel Wells (calf), Luke McDonald (hamstring)
THE PLAYER SAID
THE SIX STATS (AFL.com.au)
1. In round one, the Crows led by 18 points at half-time and a single point at three-quarter time before the Kangaroos ran out 10-point winners. Jarrad Waite and Brent Harvey kicked three goals each, while Josh Jenkins booted five goals for the Crows.
2. The Crows are the highest-scoring side this season, averaging 16.8 goals per game. North Melbourne is sixth, with 14.5 goals per game.
3. Adelaide and North Melbourne meet for the 40th time with the Crows holding a narrow advantage, winning 20 games to 19. Since 2012, its 4-3 in the Crows' favour.
4. Adelaide's midfielders and forwards have done a great job getting the ball inside the forward 50 this season. The Crows are equal-third for inside 50s with 56.5 per game and fourth for marks inside 50. In contrast, the Kangaroos are 10th and eighth respectively in those areas.
5. North Melbourne will attempt to break through for its first win at Adelaide Oval in three attempts. But the Crows are close to unbeatable at the venue, having won 10 of their past 11 games at home, with three wins by more than 50 points.
6. Adelaide forward Tom Lynch is climbing up the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Lynch has improved more than 100 places from the end of last season, going from No.176 to 72nd ahead of round 14.
Brent Harvey kicked three goals the last time North Melbourne faced Adelaide.
THE BURNING QUESTIONS
How will the conditions affect play?
Heavy rain, wind and even potential thunderstorms are expected in Adelaide on Thursday night. If they all occur, the match could turn into one of territory, where each goal is worth its weight in gold.
It could also mean a late reshuffle by either team as they adapt to the conditions, changing the preparation.
How will North run the game out?
Much has been made of North’s back-to-back six day breaks, compared with Adelaide having the week off in Round 13.
But Brad Scott has been emphatic in declaring six days ‘more than enough’ to recover from a game. With North having its own bye to look forward to next week, it’ll be able to give everything knowing there’s 17 days until its next match.
Will North excel in the contest again?
A feature of North’s performance against Hawthorn was its ability to win the contested ball. In theory, the return of Swallow and Cunnington will boost that against the Crows.
The Adelaide midfield has been a key part of its recent good form, with the likes of Sloane and Thompson setting the tone in tight.
What will the sides take out of Round 1?
For North, it’s the first replay of 2016. While the surroundings and conditions on Thursday will be a world away from Etihad Stadium, there could still be key learnings to apply again at Adelaide Oval.
Meanwhile the Crows will have undoubtedly learned from what prompted them to drop a 24-point lead and only kick two of the last nine goals of the match.
Ben Cunnington returns to the North Melbourne side this week.
