Where:  AAMI Staduim, Adelaide.

When: Friday March 9, 8:40pm AEST

Coverage: TV, Fox Footy live from 8:30pm – Radio, Triple M.

Forecast:

Min: 15

Max: 27 – Fine and clear, light southwesterly breeze.

Undefeated Adelaide take on the might of premiership fancy Collingwood at AAMI Stadium on Friday night, with a win to the Crows guaranteeing them a place in the NAB Cup Grand Final.

Collingwood travel to the city of churches with the knowledge that they can still progress to the final game themselves, however they’ll be relying on a percentage boosting win and a few other results going their way for it to happen.

It would appear the Crows will be taking this hit-out seriously, using the opportunity to play close to a full strength side. Reigning best and fairest winner Scott Thompson and captain Nathan Van Berlo return, along with tall timber Sam Jacobs and Kurt Tippett.

Collingwood, on the other hand, are coming off a six-day break, and will be leaving much of their best 22 in Melbourne for their second interstate trip of the NAB Cup.

Big names such as Dale Thomas, Heath Shaw, Alan Didak, Luke Ball, Chris Tarrant, Sharrod Wellingham and Dayne Beams are all staying at home.

What the Crows want to see:

For new Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson, this will be the first opportunity to see the best of his list in action together. Expect to mostly see the side that Sanderson has in mind for the season proper, with the set up of  Tippet and Jason Porplyzia in the forward line of particular interest.

Patrick Dangerfield was the stand-in captain last week in their game against Brisbane in Alice Springs, and he relished the opportunity to lead from the front with 33 disposals. If Dangerfield can match his output from last week with Van Berlo and Thompson back, the Adelaide midfield all of a sudden looks a lot harder to contain.

What the Magpies want to see:

At this time of year? No injuries, and a fresh playing list for round one.

After winning the NAB Cup yet failing in their premiership campaign last year, it has been suggested that the Pies were up too early and for too long last year. As a result Nathan Buckley has taken the most unusual step of only taking 26 players to Adelaide, whilst the Crows will have the opportunity to rotate 29 on the night.

Without Ben Rutten marshalling the Adelaide backline, expect Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes to have plenty of opportunities to put a few goals on the board in the clear conditions. 

Prediction:

With Collingwood resting many of their big names, the Adelaide squad selected should prove to be too strong on their home turf. Do not be surprised if we see even more of the Collingwood big names rested after half-time.

Adelaide by 25 points.

Teams:

ADELAIDE
3. Brent Reilly, 4. Kurt Tippett, 5. Scott Thompson, 6. Luke Thompson, 7. Nathan Van Berlo, 9. Rory Sloane, 10. Matthew Jaensch, 11. Michael Doughty, 12. Daniel Talia, 13. Taylor Walker, 14. David Mackay, 17. Bernie Vince, 18. Graham Johncock, 20. Joshua Jenkins, 21. Chris Knights, 22. Andrew Otten, 23. Jared Petrenko, 24. Sam Jacobs, 27. Tom Lynch, 29. Sam Kerridge, 32. Patrick Dangerfield, 33. Brodie Smith, 34. Sam Shaw, 35. Shaun McKernan, 36. Brodie Martin, 37. Ian Callinan, 40. Jason Porplyzia, 45. Ricky Henderson, 47. Matthew Wright

COLLINGWOOD
1. Alex Fasolo, 5. Nick Maxwell, 8. Heritier O’Brien, 9. Martin Clarke, 10. Scott Pendlebury, 11. Jarryd Blair, 14. Luke Rounds, 18. Darren Jolly, 20. Ben Reid, 22. Steele Sidebottom, 23. Lachlan Keeffe, 25. Tom Young, 27. Simon Buckley, 28. Ben Sinclair, 29. Jonathan Ceglar, 31. Chris Dawes, 32. Travis Cloke, 33. Jackson Paine, 35. Jamie Elliott, 36. Dane Swan, 37. Kirk Ugle, 38. Peter Yagmoor, 40. Paul Seedsman, 46. Marley Williams, 47. Michael Hartley, 48. Caolan Mooney