Adelaide vs Gold Coast

WHERE AND WHEN: AAMI Stadium, Saturday September 1, 1.40pm

Adelaide can not afford to slip up when they face the Gold Coast on Saturday, if they do they will lose their chance at a home final.

The equation is pretty simple for the Crows, if they win and Sydney or Hawthorn lose they will get a home final if they lose they will miss out. They cannot afford any incompetence.

The Suns are fresh off further ruining Carlton’s season after their upset win. Their surprising performance put even  more pressure on Brett Ratten who looks to have lost his job. Ruining Adelaide’s finals preparation and positioning would be the perfect way to end the season.

Adelaide also had a win, easily accounting for Melbourne by 69 points. However it is their performance from the week before, a 10 point loss to Brisbane that is a worry. The Crows cannot afford to show that lecel of complacency this week.

What Adelaide Will Want

This provides a perfect opportunity for the Crows to play well before they enter finals in what will probably be a pretty easy game.

Kurt Tippett and Taylor Walker were immense last week,  they should produce a similar performance this week against the Suns. Big forwards win finals and to have these two hitting good form before the finals will make Adelaide a force to be reckoned with over the next month.

Finally the last thing the Crows will want this week is no injuries. Other than losing the worst thing that could happen this week is if Adelaide lost someone of the calibre of Patrick Dangerfield of Scott Thompson.

What Gold Coast Will Want 

The Suns have nothing to lose this week so they will want an all out effort form all of their players. Despite being second last and full of injuries they need to put up a fight, this is important for perceptions of both people outside and within the club.

Gold Coast will also want a strong showing form some of their weaker players. With off-season around the corner some players may lose their spots at the club. This may be the final chance for them to impress and be the difference between the staying or leaving.

Prediction

Gold Coast were able to pull off a huge upset last week but it was against a side that did not make finals. Adelaide will provide a much tougher opponent making a repeat of last weeks performnce.

The Crows however are itching for finals and all their players will be playing accordingly. They are top 4 for a a reason and will win easily.

Adelaide by 67 points