The Adelaide Crows sealed an impressive 18-point victory against Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday afternoon and subsequently have slipped past them on the ladder into the top eight for the first time this season.
With a relatively easy drawn on the run to the finals, the Crows will be liking there chances at securing a finals spot in 2014, while Collingwood will have to turn their form around fast if they are going to have any chance at making the eight.
FINAL SCORE:
COLLINGWOOD 12.10 (82)
ADELAIDE 14.14 (98)
September starts early on Sunday when the Collingwood Magpies host the Adelaide Crows at the MCG in a game that will have a huge impact on the finals chances of both sides. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:40 pm (AEST).
Collingwood have been in surprisingly poor form of late, considering they were touted as a premiership fancy only a few months ago.
They have one win from their last five matches, and have dropped games to three teams below them on the ladder in that time. They now find themselves at the bottom of the top eight, close to falling out of it altogether.
Adelaide on the other hand have been at the top of their game in recent weeks, claiming four wins from their last five matches. They were a team possessed in their most recent match against Hawthorn in Round 17, and though they fell short of a win against the reigning premiers by two goals, they played probably the best football of their year so far.
Collingwood had the wood over Adelaide in recent years, with a string of six straight victories before the Crows downed them unexpectedly at Adelaide Oval this year in Round 9. It’s a performance Adelaide will be looking to repeat.
The Magpies have made five changes from the side that lost to Essendon. Former skipper Nick Maxwell has since retired, Luke Ball, Alan Toovey and Dane Swan will all miss due to injury, and Josh Thomas has been dropped. Lachlan Keeffe, Tim Broomhead, Kyle Martin, Jamie Elliott and Ben Reid return to the side.
The Crows have returned Luke Thompson and David Mackay to their side, with Ben Rutten and Jason Porplyzia making way.
After proving himself to be a dangerous swingman last year, injury woes have kept Magpie Ben Reid from playing a single game so far in 2014. He’s finally back and it may be just in the nick of time to help Collingwood solidify their spot in the top eight. Can he have an impact in his first game for the year – and which end of the ground will he be played at?
Both these team are desperate to play finals, but it’s looking more and more likely that there’ll only be room for one. The winner of this week’s match will have a huge advantage.
Prediction
On form alone I simply have to back the Crows this week. They looked fantastic against Hawthorn before the bye and if they can keep it up then they’ll leapfrog Collingwood and be in the eight by the end of the round.
Adelaide by 12 points.
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Champ
Guest
Dave I think you missed the irony
collingwoodgreece
Guest
love Buckley's culture, game plan...with him coaching, collingwood is going to break their premiership drought record
Radelaide
Guest
insert big red head exploding :)
Randall
Guest
Great effort by the Crows. Been some shocking decisions in the last 3 games. Collingwood missed a few that could have gone their way but they got a few they shouldnt have that ended in goals for them. I'm amazed the boys came back while battling 20 men. I figure one of the umpires wasnt biased. About time something was said, their standard this year has been pitiful.
Josh
Expert
Could swear it was Ed himself.
Dave
Guest
If Richmond win their next 2 (GWS and Essendon) and Collingwood (Port Adelaide and WCE - in Perth), Adelaide (WCE and Brisbane - GABBA) and Gold Coast (St Kilda and Carlton) lose their next two there will be five teams on 36 points!!
dave
Guest
C'wood have got there own reserves side so what the hell are you babbling on about harry . You've got a side that plays as individuals and not a side
Harry wells
Guest
the crows have their own team in the SANFL and so do Port - its unfair - the Magpies are sponsoring all the other clubs- the VFL is too weak full of no name suburbs - it a conspiracy - wheres my chequebook - any more we can pinch from GWS Luv Ed
Josh
Expert
Well a thumping win for the Crows in the end. They really blitzed them in the last ten minutes or so of the game and showed us all that they just wanted a win more. Taylor Walker was fantastic with two late goals that sealed the win for Adelaide. Dayne Beams was great for Collingwood and would've been just about best on ground. So the Crows are in the eight, and Collingwood aren't... interesting, eh? With just five rounds left there is a lot yet to be decided. As the AFL so well put it... "Everything's Possible!" See you all next week.
Josh
Expert
Poor Eddie. Seems like every single club in the league has an unfair advantage except him!
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Eddie M "The South Australian teams have an unfair advantage. The SANFL can produce players that can primarily go straight to their clubs." Gillon "But so do the other clubs" Eddie M in thought...but we haven't played them yet. I need to get the pressure off my own club.) Alternatively prepare for another go at the Northern States, if not specifically the Swans.
Josh
Expert
Patrick Dangerfield having a bit of a walk and he looks like he's okay. Having a chat with David King after the game and says it's probably just a tweak. Should be fine.
Josh
Expert
Crows win! They leapfrog the Magpies into eighth spot, getting into the top eight for the first time all year, and the Magpies are relegated down to ninth.
Josh
Expert
FULL TIME COLLINGWOOD 12.10.82 ADELAIDE 14.14.98
Josh
Expert
Dangerfield limping off the ground with a very sore knee by the looks of it. The Crows will be sweating on that one.
Josh
Expert
GOAL COLLINGWOOD Consolation prize for Collingwood, Jarryd Blair slots a late goal out of a pack. The lead is reduced to 16 points but with only 91 seconds left to play in this game, it would take an absolute miracle. COLLINGWOOD 12.10.82 ADELAIDE 14.14.98
Josh
Expert
Dangerfield may have hurt his kneecap in a late collision there.
Josh
Expert
GOAL ADELAIDE He slots it! Big Taylor Walker kicks his third, Adelaide lead by 22 points with two minutes to play, they are going to win, and they'll be in the eight! COLLINGWOOD 11.10.76 ADELAIDE 14.14.98
Josh
Expert
Taylor Walker marks it in front of goal! Slot this and it's all over.
Josh
Expert
3 minutes. COLLINGWOOD 11.10.76 ADELAIDE 13.14.92