WHERE AND WHEN: AAMI Stadium, Saturday July 21, 1.40pm

West Coast will make the trip over to AAMI stadium to meet Adelaide in another one of this round’s anticipated matchups.

West Coast are coming off a thumping at the hands of Sydney at their home ground. Despite this history of close games betwen the two the Eagles were no match and look to be finally taking the toll of the long list of injuries.

Adelaide have had an easier preparation for this week compared to the Eagles. They have come off a 119 point win over the Giants which was handy for their percentage.

This is a classic 8 point game between the two teams. With the top four so close together the outcome of this match could be the difference between making or missing the top 4.

As such Adelaide has brought in some big names to bolster their chances. The biggest is Kurt Tippett whose height and marking power will be a welcome return. Michael Doughty and Graham Johncock will also provide some experience in their back line.

West Coast also have some welcome inclusions, in the form of Quinten Lynch, Beau Waters, Ashton Hams. Lynch’s addition will help stretch the Crows back line for height while hams will provide pressure. Waters inclusion also bolsters their backline.

Players To Watch

Sam Jacobs

Jacobs seems to have made the right decision in leaving Carlton as he is now in the best form of his career in a top 4 team. This game will provide an extra challenge as he faces the Eagles Dynamic ruck duo. Sydney showed last week how important negating their influence is and this job will fall to Jacobs.

Daniel Kerr

Kerr seems not to have lost a yard or any toughness in his ‘old age’. He has been excellent this year and gives the opposition yet another midfielder to worry about. Adelaide’s midfield is very strong around the stoppages and his performance will be key in the midfield battle.

Prediction

West Coast have their backs against the wall, last few weeks results have shown that despite their ladder the Eagles are struggling. Their long injury list is means that they are not the same team that was all conquering earlier in the season.

This Combined with travel and the fact the the Crows are runningn on top of the ground and have a huge home ground advantage should result in an easy Adelaide win.

Adelaide by 24pts

Teams

ADELAIDE
B: Michael Doughty, Ben Rutten, Brodie Smith
HB: Brent Reilly, Daniel Talia, Andy Otten
C: Nathan van Berlo, Scott Thompson, Bernie Vince
HF: Richard Douglas, Ian Callinan, Jared Petrenko
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Matthew Wright
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield
I/C: Graham Johncock, David Mackay, Josh Jenkins
Sub: Brad Symes

 

In: Michael Doughty, Graham Johncock, Kurt Tippett, Brad Symes, Andy Otten, Jared Petrenko
Out: Chris Knights, Brodie Martin, Ricky Henderson, Sam Shaw, Tom Lynch, Luke Brown

WEST COAST EAGLES
B: Beau Waters, Darren Glass, Eric Mackenzie
HB: Sam Butler, Will Schofield, Shannon Hurn
C: Matthew Rosa, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Adam Selwood, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Dean Cox, Quinten Lynch, Ashton Hams
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr
I/C: Patrick McGinnity, Brad Sheppard, Jacob Brennan
Sub: Murray Newman
In: Quinten Lynch, Beau Waters, Ashton Hams
Out: Mitch Brown, Thomas Swift, Koby Stevens