The undefeated Adelaide Crows can qualify for next weekend’s NAB Cup grand final with a win against a visiting Collingwood team tonight at AAMI Stadium. Join us for live scores and a blog from the first bounce at 8.40pm AEDT.
Under new coach Brenton Sanderson, the Crows have impressed in this year’s NAB Cup competition.
In round one’s triangular series they accounted for Carlton by nine points before holding off Port Adelaide in a mini-Showdown by a single behind in the final match that afternoon.
Last weekend, the Crows were very good when downing a Brisbane Lions outfit by 51 points at Traeger Park in Alice Springs.
Sanderson has named a strong squad for tonight’s clash. Against what is a very inexperienced Pies line-up, Richard Tambling, Lewis Johnston, Brad Symes, Ben Rutten and Richard Douglas are only noteable absentees from the squad.
The Crows play their best footy at home. Last season, five of their six wins came at Footy Park.
Nathan Buckley’s start at Collingwood has been a pretty quiet one. In week one of the Cup competition, the Magpies had narrow wins over the Western Bulldogs by seven points and GWS Giants by three points at Blacktown.
Playing under the Etihad Stadium roof last Saturday night, Buckley suffered his first defeat at the helm when fellow newcomer Mark Neeld coached his Demons to a nine-point win over the 2010 AFL Premiers.
The Pies have had a torrid pre-season with several players having injury-interrupted preparations.
Bucks has left out 13 established players from the squad for tonight.
Chris Tarrant, Andrew Krakouer, Alan Didak, Tyson Goldsack, Luke Ball, Dale Thomas, Nathan Brown, Dayne Beams, Cameron Wood, Sharrod Wellingham, Ben Johnson, Brent Macaffer and Alan Toovey have not made the trip over to Adelaide – a number of those players are injured.
The Pies have an outstanding record at AAMI Stadium having won their last seven AFL matches at the ground.
Against the Crows, Collingwood have triumphed on the last four occasions but all of those wins have been in close matches.
In the last encounter between the two teams in round nine at Etihad last season, Andrew Krakouer took mark of the year; the Crows led by 12 at three quarter time; Dale Thomas kicked a torpedo goal from 65 metres that changed the game; and the Pies won by a lopsided and flattering margin of 43 points after a 55-point turnaround in the last quarter.
Collingwood are missing too much firepower tonight. The Crows will field an experienced line-up and that along with good form and home-ground advantage will see Adelaide through to the NAB Cup Grand Final after claiming a 26-point win at home.
Can the Crows continue their impressive preseason form? Find out from 8.40pm AEDT as we cover the action with live scores and commentary and if you’re watching, give us your thoughts in the space below.
Justin Cinque
Expert
The Crows were huge winners tonight. Thanks for joining us.
Justin Cinque
Expert
FULL TIME Adelaide 1.20.9.138 Collingwood 1.7.10.61 Well Adelaide have won the match by 77, the second half by 69. Paddy Dangerfield starred. Kurt Tippett impressed but there were not many Crows who didn't impress. They progress to the Grand Final where they'll fancy their chances of claiming the NAB Cup. Ian Callinan played a very big second half. Kerridge was the pick of the Crow kids. The Pies were good in the first half but in the end a lack of experience told. The Pies lost their run and dropped their heads once the Crows had the victory secured. It's consecutive 50+ point wins for Adelaide in the NAB Cup. They are the form team of the pre-season. They've made a statement. They seem to have a pretty fit list and finally, under new coach Brenton Sanderson, it seems to be coming together for 'the pride of south australia'
Justin Cinque
Expert
0 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.20.9.138 Collingwood 1.7.10.61 Collingwood have a stoppage I50
Justin Cinque
Expert
1 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.20.9.138 Collingwood 1.7.10.61 Crows won it. In she came. McKernan won it and killed it. Goal.
Justin Cinque
Expert
3 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.19.9.132 Collingwood 1.7.10.61 The Pies managed a behind at some point in the last two minutes. It's all academic now. COllingwood in possession as the clock ticks down...
Justin Cinque
Expert
3 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.19.9.132 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 Long ball inside 50. Dangerfield is gone for HTB at FB. It comes back I50 for the Crows. To the square. Dangerfield crashes the pack and the Pies clear it.
Justin Cinque
Expert
3 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.19.9.132 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 I was thinking midweek that of the best three teams from last season - Geelong, Collingwood and Hawthorn, I think Collingwood are the most likely to go backwards this year and drop out of the top four. THeir second half of 2011 was very disappointing. They had injuries but those injuries are just as bad, if not worse this year. And don't underestimate the loss of MM. I'm not sure where they'll finish but they're not specials for the top four. McKernan takes a big mark deep I50. Sexy snap is a goal.
Justin Cinque
Expert
5 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.18.9.126 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 Pies can get one back. Not there. Ugle misses the lot. Clarke to Paine. Couldn't mark it and Crows break again off HB.
Justin Cinque
Expert
7 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.18.9.126 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 Martin to Van Berlo. Callinan with 20/20 vision squares it across the body to the Porpoise. Porplyzia going for his fourth goal. From 30 he goals.
Justin Cinque
Expert
9 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.17.8.119 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 Lynch missed from 50. Why did St Kilda let this bloke go. He looks a gem. The damage has been done in the second half. It was an eight point game at HT.
Justin Cinque
Expert
9 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.17.8.119 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 Stoppage at HF for a rampant Adelaide. And yes the floodgates have opened.
Justin Cinque
Expert
13 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.17.8.119 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 He goals and after calling him 'the Porpous' all night we realise it's acutally spelt 'porpoise'. We can be forgiven the porpoise hasn;t played for a while.
Justin Cinque
Expert
13 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.16.8.113 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 So in this second half the cream has risen to the top. Pies get a free in the middle. Maxwell sends it fwd. Crows break off HB. Sloane to Dangerfield. Wasn't clean their Dangerfield. Turnover. But the Crows win it straight back. Jacobs marks well and Crows are away. Long ball I50 and the Porpous marks in the pocket.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Actually it's not much needed but it's still getting boosted all the same.
Justin Cinque
Expert
15 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.16.8.113 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 Stoppage on the wing. Callinan to Martin. Jacobs marks I50 for Adelaide. He goes back from 45 and goals. Pies kids need a spell. Crows getting some much needed % boost.
Justin Cinque
Expert
17 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.15.8.107 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 Martin for the Crows. Sends it I50. Tippett handpassed it to Kerridge who looks good. Lynch now receives on the loose and goals. Did you hear that BANG. That's the floodgates opening up.
Justin Cinque
Expert
19 to go Q4 Adelaide 1.14.8.101 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 Maxwell put in I50 for the Pies. Jacobs gave to Callinan. Now the ball is centred. Tippett handpassed to Kerrigde. McKernan rid himself of his man. Then left the ball behind. Pies survive. Adelaide go again. Kerridge marks in the pockets. He squares it to 50. Mark taken. Ball handpassed to Jaensch who goes for NINE and nails it. Crows home for all money nine. SUPER GOAL SEALER.
Justin Cinque
Expert
20 to go Q4 Adelaide 0.14.8.92 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 Gerard Healy hints that this might be Paddy D's breakout year. Yes! I agree. He's about to explode.
Justin Cinque
Expert
20 to go Q4 Adelaide 0.14.8.92 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 Dangerfield breaks off HB for the Crows. Quick movement from Adelaide. It's been the highlight. Long ball to McKernan. O'Brien spoiled illegally. McKernan gets the free. He goes back from 20m. He should goal and he does. It's over now.
Justin Cinque
Expert
22 to go Q4 Adelaide 0.13.8.86 Collingwood 1.7.9.60 Mass of players round this footy and the ump has found a HTB free. Goes to Jolly. Collingwood must get the first. Fasolo for nine just missed from 53 for a nine pointer.