The Adelaide Crows face a massive challenge when they come up against the Hawthorn Hawks tonight at Adelaide Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:20pm local (7:50 pm AEST).
In the second Thursday night game of 2015 the Crows have a big test against the reigning premiers. They’re performing well so far this year, but can they take another step forward and join the premiership contenders?
The Hawks, of the big three teams at the moment, are the least certain of their place. While their undoubtedly in a league of their own with the Swans and the Dockers at this point, their place on the ladder doesn’t reflect that.
Some unfortunate losses have them with a 6-4 record, sitting in sixth place. While they’re still arguably the most feared team in the competition, a few slight cracks have started to show.
The Crows on the other hand are difficult to get a read on. They’ve played some blistering footy in patches but also been listless on occasion. The main strike against them is that they’re yet to beat a really top quality team for the year.
Arguably their most impressive game of the season to date is their narrow loss to Fremantle – a rare case indeed that your performance in a loss outranks your wins.
The Hawks will enter the match as favourites, but do seem a little vulnerable. With a win, the Crows would take a step up in the eyes of the competition, and more and more questions would be asked of the Hawks.
However, I expect that won’t come to pass – the Hawks midfield can match it with that of the Crows, and their experience forward line should bring them to victory given the comparative lack of experience in the Crow’s defence.
As an interesting aside, Kyle Cheney, who was trade to Adelaide from Hawthorn last year, will play his 50th AFL game this week, against his former club.
Prediction
The Hawks’ forward line should give them the ascendancy. That said, the Crows could pinch it if things go their way.
Hawthorn by 24 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:20pm local (7:50 pm AEST).
Josh
Expert
Well that's me done for the night - congrats to the Hawks. I'll be back on Saturday for Carlton & Port Adelaide.
Josh
Expert
Josh
Expert
Josh
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Josh
Expert
Hawks with a comfortable win in the end, really ran away with it in the final term and left us in no doubt as to who is the better team. For the Crows, again it's a case of good but not great.
Josh
Expert
FULL TIME ADELAIDE 12.13.85 HAWTHORN 17.12.114
Josh
Expert
BEHIND ADELAIDE Dangerfield with a behind late. ADELAIDE 12.13.85 HAWTHORN 17.12.114
Josh
Expert
GOAL ADELAIDE Consolation goal for Josh Jenkins who kicks his first late in the game. Less than 3 minutes on the clock. ADELAIDE 12.12.84 HAWTHORN 17.12.114
Josh
Expert
BEHIND HAWTHORN Liam Shiels kicks a behind. ADELAIDE 11.11.77 HAWTHORN 17.12.114
Josh
Expert
BEHIND HAWTHORN Rushed behind for the Hawks makes it an even six goal lead. ADELAIDE 11.10.76 HAWTHORN 17.10.112
Josh
Expert
GOAL HAWTHORN Billy Hartung with a big dash slams a goal home. The Hawks lead by 35. ADELAIDE 11.10.76 HAWTHORN 17.9.111
Josh
Expert
BEHIND ADELAIDE Another rushed one to the Crows - time ticking down, about ten minutes left on the clock. ADELAIDE 11.10.76 HAWTHORN 16.9.105
Josh
Expert
BEHIND ADELAIDE Rushed behind Crows. ADELAIDE 11.9.75 HAWTHORN 16.9.105
Josh
Expert
GOAL HAWTHORN Luke Breust snaps his third, Hawks by 31. That should seal it. ADELAIDE 11.8.74 HAWTHORN 16.9.105
Josh
Expert
GOAL HAWTHORN Cyril Rioli snaps his first of the night, 25 points the lead for the Hawks now and that will probably seal it. ADELAIDE 11.8.74 HAWTHORN 15.9.99
Josh
Expert
GOAL HAWTHORN Isaac Smith snaps a second goal and the Hawks lead jumps out to 19 points. That might get them across the line from here. ADELAIDE 11.8.74 HAWTHORN 14.9.93
Josh
Expert
BEHIND ADELAIDE Charlie Cameron has a set shot on goal and misses to the left. ADELAIDE 11.8.74 HAWTHORN 13.9.87
Josh
Expert
Ryan Schoenmakers subbed off for the Hawks, Billy Hartung on.
Josh
Expert
Jenkins a little unlucky not to get a free as Frawley has his hands on him and keeps him from gathering loose ball in the forward pocket.
Josh
Expert
Fourth quarter on.