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Adelaide started brightly against Brisbane at the Gabba last weekend but faded badly in the second half, eventually going down by 36 points. The Crows have now lost their past three matches to slip to 12th place on the ladder with a 3-5 win-loss record.
Carlton snapped a two-game losing streak with a 51-point demolition of an undermanned Collingwood side at the MCG last Sunday. The Blues have won four of their first eight matches.
MEDICAL ROOM: The Crows will be without star defender Nathan Bock for the third week in a row due to a hamstring injury while forwards Brett Burton and Trent Hentschel remain on the sidelines with knee injuries. For the Blues, Andrew Carrazzo (finger) is at least two to three weeks away while utility Andrew Walker (shoulder) and ruckman Robbie Warnock (foot) are sidelined indefinitely.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Ben Rutten vs. Brendan Fevola
Fevola has struggled in the past couple of weeks, booting just one goal after kicking eight against Hawthorn in round six.
The Blues spearhead will be keen to bounce back on Saturday and will need to be contained if Adelaide is going to snap a three-game losing streak.
Rutten had the better of his duel with Brisbane skipper Jonathan Brown last weekend and will be line up on Fevola in what shapes as being a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this contest.
Fevola is at his damaging best when he is leading into space so the Crows will need to apply relentless pressure all over the ground otherwise the Blues will be able to deliver the football quickly and cleanly inside 50.
Nathan van Berlo vs. Chris Judd
Judd was instrumental in the win over the Magpies with a game-high 32 possessions, one goal and eight inside 50’s.
If the Crows are going to be any hope of containing a Carlton side that had 10 individual goal kickers last weekend they will need to shut-down Judd’s run and carry.
With Shirley not in the side Adelaide may opt to use van Berlo in a run with role as he has the tank to go with Judd.
The Crows will need van Berlo to deny the 2004 Brownlow medallist any time or space at the stoppages otherwise he will continually win the football at close quarters, break the lines and provide his forwards with plenty of quality supply.
He will also need to win his fair share of the football and force Judd to be accountable otherwise the former Eagles captain will run riot.
Jordan Russell vs. Andrew McLeod
McLeod has been well below his best in recent times but will be keen to fire in what will be a club record 313th AFL game.
The dual Norm Smith medallist always loves a big occasion and could well turn back the clock on Saturday.
Carlton will want to limit his impact on the contest as he is damaging with his creative run and ability to set up Adelaide’s attacking forays forward from the defensive half.
Russell has played the defensive half-forward role in the past and will most likely be given the task of negating McLeod.
The Blues will need Russell to provide a target up forward and also have an impact on the scoreboard in order to make the Crows veteran accountable.
Michael Jamison vs. Jason Porplyzia
Porplyzia continued his consistent start to the season against Brisbane, booting three goals to take his season tally to 20 from eight games.
The 24-year-old and impressive youngster Taylor Walker – who was held goalless against the Lions are the only players that are in double figures for goals for the Crows in 2009.
If Porplyzia fails to fire it is hard to see where the Crows will get enough goals from to overcome a Carlton side that has the third best attack in the AFL.
Despite standing at just 179cm Porplyzia is very good overhead, so the Blues will most likely go with Jamison who is capable of matching the classy Adelaide forward in the air and at ground level.
Jamison will need to pay close attention to Porplyzia all afternoon and not give him any time or space in which to work in as he can turn a game on its head with a burst of two to three goals.
VERDICT: This is a must-win match for Adelaide if they are going to keep in touch with the top eight. They will fancy their chances of securing a much-needed four premiership points given their dominance over Carlton in recent times but they have one of the least potent forward lines in the competition and will struggle to kick a big enough score to overcome a Blues outfit that has multiple options in attack.
Blues by 16 points.
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