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The mid-season schedule of Thursday night matches begins when the Adelaide Crows take on the North Melbourne Kangaroos at the Adelaide Oval. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:50pm AEST.
The two teams are coming off vastly different preparations, the Crows with a 12 day break after a season best victory over the West Coast Eagles by 29 points in Perth, the Kangaroos on the other hand are coming off two six day breaks and two losses to the well-credentialed sides in Geelong and Hawthorn.
Added to this the fact the club has had to deal with off field controversy following Brad Scott’s post match press conference after the Hawthorn game. Scott raised issues with umpire biases but the club and Scott were both forced into unreserved apologies after it was determined the allegations were incorrect. On Wednesday, the club was issued from the AFL with a fine of $50,000 and Brad Scott received a fine of $30,000.
These two sides have already met this year in Round 1. North Melbourne came from behind, storming home in the second half to win by ten points.
Todd Goldstein was best on ground in that match and his match up against Sam Jacobs will once again be crucial.
Both sides are well entrenched in the top eight – North Melbourne are third with a 10-3 record and the Crows, with a game in hand, are eighth with an 8-4 win loss ratio.
The Kangaroos are having their depth severely tested with injuries at the moment. Daniel Wells (ankle) and Luke McDonald (hamstring) have been added to the increasing injury list. McDonald’s hamstring which was incurred after a terrific chase of Cyril Rioli has required surgery and he looks certain to miss an extended period. The club are hopeful he will return for the finals campaign.
On the positive side of things, two premium midfielders return in Ben Cunnington from a corked quad and the captain, Andrew Swallow, from concussion. Jarrad Waite was not able to prove his fitness with a hip complaint.
The Crows injury list is currently one of the shortest in the AFL. Paul Seedsman is the only change with a hamstring injury. He has been replaced by Brad Crouch whose form in the SANFL could not be overlooked where he had 40 possessions and ten tackles.
Prediction
This promises to be a cracking match to open the round. Being away from home, the two six day breaks and injuries will require a monumental effort for the Kangaroos to win. However, teams coming off a bye have historically struggled but believe Adelaide will be just too strong.
Adelaide Crows by 16 points.
Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) as we bring you all the action from this Round 14 clash.
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