Where: MCG, Sunday 15 April, 3.15pm
TV: Channel 7, 3pm, Fox Sports 1, 3pm
Radio: 3AW & Triple M
Odds: Hawthorn $1.20, Adelaide $5.31, Line Adelaide +29.5
This one should hopefully be a beauty. One of the premiership contenders, coming off a very rough loss to Geelong, taking on the form side of the competition in Adelaide. The Crows comfortably knocked off the Bulldogs last week to continue their winning ways.
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The Hawks will be wanting to steady the ship after the Easter Monday defeat, as well as continue to get games into Jarryd Roughead, coming off his Achilles injury.
On the other side, the Crows could show genuine premiership contention if they were to defeat the Hawks today, with a victory like this in Melbourne certainly having the potential to put the wind up the AFL world.
Key Match-ups
Sam Mitchell v Scott Thompson
Both are midfield extractors, both are stars in their own right. Their individual efforts around the clearances will be crucial to the victory or defeat of their teams.
Broc McCauley v Sam Jacobs
McCauley was superb last weekend, strutting his stuff against another up-and-coming ruck in Trent West. This weekend is a much bigger challenge, as Sam Jacobs is established as a first ruck and will certainly provide stiffer opposition at the contests.
Lance Franklin v The Adelaide backline
If anyone begins to struggle, expect a rotating matchup on Buddy. Both Rutten and Talia are doing very well, but the most dangerous forward in the competition can destroy you if he gets going.
Final Word:
The Hawks are still too good for the Crows, but it’ll be closer than the odds suggest.
Hawks by 16.
Hawthorn
B: Benjamin Stratton, Josh Gibson, Brent Guerra
HB: Grant Birchall, Ryan Schoenmakers, Matt Suckling
C: Brendan Whitecross, Sam Mitchell, Shane Savage
HF: Shaun Burgoyne, Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli
F: Jarryd Roughead, David Hale, Luke Breust
Foll: Broc McCauley, Brad Sewell, Jordan Lewis
I/C: Michael Osborne, Liam Shiels, Kyle Cheney, Jack Gunston
Emg: Chance Bateman, Clinton Young, Bradley Hill
In: Liam Shiels, Kyle Cheney
Out: Chance Bateman, Isaac Smith
Adelaide
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: Brent Reilly, Daniel Talia, Brodie Smith
C: Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson, David Mackay
HF: Bernie Vince, Tom Lynch, Ian Callinan
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Taylor Walker
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Nathan van Berlo, Patrick Dangerfield
I/C: Michael Doughty, Jared Petrenko, Brodie Martin, Ricky Henderson
Emg: Chris Knights, Sam Shaw, Sam Kerridge
In: Brodie Martin
Out:Richard Douglas
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