Historical notes:
- Adelaide’s win in Round 8 against Carlton was its first victory in Victoria since 2009. The Crows lost 15 straight matches at the MCG, Etihad Stadium and Simonds Stadium before a changing of the tide against the Blues.
- North Melbourne has won its last two matches against Adelaide, both at home. Before that, the Crows won eight encounters in a row between 2004 and 2009.
- Andrew Swallow has played a big role in the Kangaroos’ last two games against Adelaide. His amazing first-quarter performance (17 possessions and nine clearances) last time the teams met helped his side to a 47-point victory. He was almost as impressive a year earlier with 29 disposals and two goals. His efforts have earned him five of a possible six Brownlow votes in North’s two wins.
- Of the North Melbourne side that defeated the Crows last year, just one player Brady Rawlings is no longer on the list. Adelaide on the other hand has lost Jack Gunston, Brad Moran and James Sellar.
- Brent Harvey averages 1.5 goals a game against Adelaide throughout his career; his best output against any side barring the Power.
This year:
- Both sides are among the highest-scoring in the league, averaging 15 goals a game. It’s at the other end of the ground where the difference is most evident with North the fourth-worst side defensively, the Crows the sixth-best.
- The statistics suggest Brad Scott’s team has struggled to run out games as the Kangaroos have won just three final terms, the Crows seven.
- Adelaide is the best contested side in the competition, averaging 157 contested possessions a game. North is eighth in the league with an average of 145.
- The Kangaroos and Crows rely heavily on their marking options. The teams sit fourth and fifth respectively for contested marks. Kurt Tippett (29) and Drew Petrie (27) sit only behind the Magpies’ Travis Cloke in the category.
- The battle in the ruck between Sam Jacobs and Todd Goldstein looms as a crucial contest. Jacobs is in All-Australian form averaging 30 hit-outs and 13 possessions, while Goldstein has posted similar numbers, but hasn’t had the same impact as last year. Goldstein amassed 48 hit-outs last time around, but Jacobs is a much improved player.
- One area North will look to take advantage of is first use of the footy. The Kangaroos average 22 more disposals a game than their opponents and are ranked third in the league. The Crows meanwhile dominate contested possession and clearances against their opposition and are ranked first for differential in the two categories
North Melbourne v Adelaide Crows
Sunday June 24, 2012 - 4.40pm
Etihad Stadium
Gates open at 3pm.
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