The Adelaide Crows have taken their sixth consecutive win and continued their push for a top four spot with a 22-point victory over the Melbourne Demons.
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Final score
Melbourne 15.8.98
Adelaide 18.12.120
The Adelaide Crows are in top flight, but on Sunday afternoon at the MCG the Melbourne Demons will be out to halt their streak. Join The Roar from 3:20pm (AEST) for all the score updates and a live blog.
The Crows come into this clash off the back of five straight wins. They’re undoubtedly in the discussion as the most in-form team in the competition, fresh off big wins against top-four threats North Melbourne and West Coast.
The Demons of late have been far more inconsistent – they only managed a paltry 31 points when going down to Sydney before the bye, but were able to topple the Magpies the week before.
Recent clashes between these two sides have been fairly even, with Adelaide taking the points three times out of the last five meetings – however, Adelaide have only managed to win three of their past ten matches at the MCG, a ground the Demons know and play well.
There is a huge match-up in the ruck, as influential big men Sam Jacobs and Max Gawn go head-to-head for bragging rights. Both are having fantastic seasons and will be crucial to their team’s chances.
Rory Sloane is firing at the moment, flying under the radar somewhat but steadily building towards what could be his best season yet. He currently averages 25 disposals and 7 tackles in a midfield that continues to improve despite the off-season loss of superstar Patrick Dangerfield.
Sloane took home two Brownlow votes in the corresponding match last year – the three went to former Demon Scott Thompson, who is another senior Crow having a great year.
It’s a big match for the Demons forwards, who need to respond in a big way after being soundly beaten in Sydney.
Jesse Hogan, Chris Dawes and Jack Watts are all under pressure to perform, and up against a backline featuring Daniel Talia and Jake Lever, the big men in attack will have their work cut out for them.
Melbourne are still well and truly in the fight for the finals while the Crows want to break into the top four – with plenty on the line this should be a high quality game that goes right down to the wire.
Prediction
I’m going with the Crows, just.
Adelaide by 10.
Will the Adelaide Crows make it 6 in a row or will the Melbourne Demons take a big scalp to get their season back on track? Join The Roar from 3:20pm AEST for all the scores and live action, and join in the discussion below!
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
» Click here for the full match report MVP VOTES 3 – Rory Laird 2 – Taylor Walker 1 – Jack Watts
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Macth result and votes to come!
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Siren sounds! Adelaide win by 22 points over Melbourne at the MCG.
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND ADELAIDE With a minute left Lyons tries for a miracle boundary goal but he doesn't get it. Q4 29′ Melbourne 15.8.98 Adelaide 18.13.120
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND MELBOURNE The umpire has paid a deliberate rushed behind to Melbourne! Hogan is the recipient - he runs around but his banana kick hits the post. Q4 27′ Melbourne 15.8.98 Adelaide 18.12.119
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL ADELAIDE Marvelous handball from Tex Walker, who tricks everyone and finds McGovern alone treading towards goal. He nails his second, and that'll be the 4 points! Q4 26′ Melbourne 15.7.97 Adelaide 18.12.119
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Full speed clearance from Kent, who kicks long. Watts gathers and looks to shoot but Kennedy gets in his way - he gives it off to him instead but the Demons end up not scoring. Great defense again from Adelaide. Q4 26′ Melbourne 15.7.97 Adelaide 17.12.113
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL MELBOURNE He's kicked it! Harmes with his first! Four minutes to and 16 points the margin - could be a big finish! Q4 24′ Melbourne 15.7.97 Adelaide 17.12.113
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
A quick quick out of defence from Adelaide is marked 40m out by Harmes. He'll line up to kick an important goal. Q4 23′ Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 17.12.113
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Melbourne have locked the ball forward but can't seem to do anything with it. Q4 22′ Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 17.12.113
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Watts wins the throw-in and handballs to Garlett. He snaps and misses everything. Q4 21′ Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 17.12.113
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Hogan gets a free kick inside 50 after being blocked from a marking contest - 45 degree angle, 35m out. Doesn't score and is taken out for a stoppage. Q4 20′ Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 17.12.113
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Melbourne look shot - they've lost all their legs and the Adelaide defense is reigning supreme, setting up superbly. Q4 19′ Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 17.12.113
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL ADELAIDE Jarryd Lyons!! Delivers the blow the Demons didn't want to see! Runs hard through the middle, finds himself with the Sherrin in his hands and pumps through a bullet to extend the lead to 22 points! Q4 17′ Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 17.12.113
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND ADELAIDE Tex's short falls short - but is marked on the line spectacularly by McGovern! He gets up to finish off the great work - and stuffs it! Misses an easy snap - just a minor score. Q4 15′ Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 16.12.107
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
The Crows switch and break - Douglas makes space on the wing and delivers a bullet to Taylor Walker, who marks just outside 50. Well within his range. Q4 15′ Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 16.11.106
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL ADELAIDE Smart buildup all the way from Adelaide, finishing with Lynch delivering a perfect short pass to Charlie Cameron on a lead. From in front the small forward slams through his second and takes the lead out to 15. Much needed breathing space. Q4 12' Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 16.11.106
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Helter skelter stuff! Hartigan wins the ball back for Adelaide in defense, but Petracca wins it back for Melbourne! Throw in deep inside 50 for Melbourne. Q4 10' Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 15.11.100
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND ADELAIDE Likewise at the other end, a snap misses. Its Mackay who fired it off. Q4 8' Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 15.11.100
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND MELBOURNE Shocking kick. Falls to Stretch though, who swings a boot at it - it travels through but was touched off hands. Q4 8' Melbourne 14.7.91 Adelaide 15.10.99