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Today two proud clubs, the Adelaide Crows and the Sydney Swans, go head to head at the Adelaide Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:10pm (AEDT).
Both clubs are heading into the clash with 0-2 records. The Crows lost successive games to Geelong and then to cross-town rivals Port Adelaide in what has been an opening two rounds to forget, but the Swans are the real surprise. After being talked up as flag favourites through the off-season, they have dropped games to GWS and Collingwood in the first two weeks.
What’s more, ten million dollar recruit Lance Franklin has failed to fire, kicking a scant three goals in the opening two games of the season. Is today the day he finally shows what he is capable of doing for Sydney?
The Crows have made no less than five changes from the team who was obliterated by Port Adelaide in the Showdown, dropping Lewis Johnston, Sam Shaw and Jason Porplyzia after poor performances, and also being forced to leave out Shaun McKernan (concussion) and Brad Crouch (fractured leg).
They have recalled the likes of Josh Jenkins, Jared Petrenko, Rory Laird and Kyle Hartigan, all players who have been on the fringe of selection for the past year or so. They’re also debuting Matt Crouch – younger brother of Brad – their first pick from last year’s National Draft. He’s an inside midfielder who really knows how to get the ball, keep an eye on him.
The Swans have been forced to make two changes, with Craig Bird (calf) and Sam Reid (Achilles) leaving the side this week. Veteran Lewis Roberts-Thompson and rookie Jeremy Laidler have come in to replace them. It’s not much more than a cosmetic change with the talented core of the Swans team still the same.
These are both clubs who were talked about as finals fancies in the pre-season, and after recruiting Lance Franklin, the Swans were considered a likely premiership contender. A 0-2 start for the year has quietened down that kind of talk for both clubs, and a 0-3 start will likely snuff it out all together, making a win today vital not just for the four points, but for respect. Both clubs will be desperate to show that they deserve it.
Prediction:
Both clubs have been out of sorts in the first few weeks of the year, which ever one can get the obvious talent on their list to click will win this one. However the Crows have lost one of their best players in Brad Crouch and are now running a forward line of James Podsiadly and Josh Jenkins – not exactly effective. The Swans won’t have to push themselves too hard to get the win here, and if they show up to play, should win comfortably.
Sydney by 30 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:10pm (AEDT).