AFL 2017 - R21 Essendon v Adelaide Crows 19:25 AEST Etihad Stadium

[_Mike_]

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SUMMARY
Expect goals galore in this one. Adelaide is the highest-scoring team in the competition, Essendon is ranked third. The Crows are coming off one of their most blistering performances of the season, pouring 18 goals on a Port Adelaide outfit that came into the game as the most frugal side in the AFL. Meanwhile, Essendon has made a habit of tearing teams up on the outside with its run and is well set to wreak havoc under the roof at Etihad Stadium. There should be plenty of exciting moments, with Eddie Betts almost expected to slot brilliant goals whenever he takes the field, while few players can take speccies like Joe Daniher. Adelaide's impressive midfield will be tough to combat. Rory Sloane and the Crouch brothers will make their presence felt and Sam Jacobs is one of the competition's premier ruckmen, so the Essendon onballers will need to fire for the Bombers to have a chance.

WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, August 12, 7.25PM AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R4, 2017, Adelaide 24.9 (153) d Essendon 13.10 (88) at Adelaide Oval
R19, 2016, Adelaide 22.11 (143) d Essendon 9.7 (61) at Adelaide Oval
R20, 2015, Adelaide 27.9 (171) d Essendon 8.11 (59) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2014, Essendon 15.11 (101) d Adelaide 14.8 (92) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2013, Essendon 18.9 (117) d Adelaide 11.16 (82) at AAMI Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. Adelaide blew Essendon away in the opening quarter in round four, kicking nine goals to three. Eddie Betts finished with six goals and Taylor Walker five.

2. The Crows have kicked at least 100 points 13 times this season, while the Bombers have done it on 10 occasions.

3. Adelaide has dominated Essendon recently, winning the last three games by an average of 86 points.

4. The Crows are ranked first for contested possessions, averaging 155.6 per game. The Bombers are 14th, averaging 138.7 per game.

5. Essendon is 4-3 at Etihad Stadium in 2017.

6. Adelaide has 10 players ranked in the top 100 of the Schick AFL Player Ratings, more than any other side.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Jobe Watson. The veteran is in a flat spot and appears to be on his last legs. A proud player, the Bomber will want to prove the critics wrong against a Crows midfield in formidable form.

PREDICTION: Adelaide by 26 points

 

[Rory Walkerfield]

Bring the intensity that we did against the Cats, Power and second half against the Pies and I reckon that 86 point three match average losing margin will increase for the Dons.

Bring the intensity of the first half against the Pies and the Dons will roll us.

 

[Capt Hindsight]

Adelaide too strong and better at playing attacking open footy than Essendon who haven't played defensive this year.
Essendon light on in the midfield with Merrett out and Jacobs will beat Leuenberger comfortably in the ruck.
Adelaide by 40 points.

 

[JayJ20]

Bring the intensity that we did against the Cats, Power and second half against the Pies and I reckon that 86 point three match average losing margin will increase for the Dons.

Bring the intensity of the first half against the Pies and the Dons will roll us.

Well it's probably the worst side we've fielded all year on paper. At home, I don't quite see it blow out to 80+ points (I hope not), but I can see us losing comfortably similar to the Dogs vs the Giants last night.

Crows too strong. 46 points

 

[flashcrow]

Another video I have put together for this game. It's a bit longer than the others, but it was fun doing it. Not as explosive as some of the others.... more of a theme. I hope you like it.

 

[Macpotata]

Good pulsating game should ensue. I like Essendon here. Hope they can replicate their etihad form they've displayed for the vast majority of season 2017.

Go the dons!

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Adelaide too good

 

[Vindicater]

We will turn it into a free for all like we did against the dogs.

Adelaide will then demolish us.

Adelaide by 52 points

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Put Sloane 30 or more disposals in my multi. Easy money

 

[Madferret]

Hey guys, i got Medallion club tickets for the don v crows game tonight... never been in Medallion before, wondering if any of you guys know if hats/beanies and scarfs are allowed? Cheers

 

[PCORF]

I expect it to be a close, hard fought game. Essendon needs to win if they want to play in the finals. Adelaide needs to win to seal 1st or 2nd spot. I think Essendon starts well by tagging Sloane early, Adelaide dominates the middle 2 quarters after the rest of the midfield steps up, Essendon fights back to lead before Adelaide kick away to a 2 goal victory. But we'll see. Adelaide has never lost less than 3 away games in a season in their history (8-3 in away games in 2006) and this year they have only lost 2 away games.

 

[VictorianCrow85]

Hey guys, i got Medallion club tickets for the don v crows game tonight... never been in Medallion before, wondering if any of you guys know if hats/beanies and scarfs are allowed? Cheers

I looked at buying them too but it said somewhere that no club gear and collared shirt bull s**t. Not sure if its policed or not though, hopefully someone else can confirm as I'd be interested in the answer.

 

[radiojake]

Hey guys, i got Medallion club tickets for the don v crows game tonight... never been in Medallion before, wondering if any of you guys know if hats/beanies and scarfs are allowed? Cheers

I was in the medallion club once - they nearly didnt let me in because of my shoes and then some numpty sitting in front of me told me to stop cheering

Considering the dogs beat us by ten goals that day it didn't happen much but i wont ever sit there again

 

[Bokonon_]

We will turn it into a free for all like we did against the dogs.

Adelaide will then demolish us.

Adelaide by 52 points

I've noticed that with the Bombers. Do you think Worsfold might be sticking to the game plan he wants long term regatdless of short term results? Perhaps more focussed on 2018

 

[Vindicater]

I've noticed that with the Bombers. Do you think Worsfold might be sticking to the game plan he wants long term regatdless of short term results? Perhaps more focussed on 2018

That is exactly what I think and I am happy with it.

I had us anywhere from 9th to 14th this year so I have been happy with our season to date.

 

[flashcrow]

Hey guys, i got Medallion club tickets for the don v crows game tonight... never been in Medallion before, wondering if any of you guys know if hats/beanies and scarfs are allowed? Cheers

I got this from here: https://etihadstadium.com.au/members/medallion-club/administration/dress-code/


Dress Code
Smart casual is the minimum dress requirement for entry. If Members or guests are attending The Grille, we prefer gentleman wear a collar.

To avoid embarrassment or inconvenience unacceptable clothing items are outlined here: tracksuit pants, sports attire, untidy or dirty clothing, beachwear or midriff tops, rubber thongs, ugg boots or moccasins, sleeveless tops, tank tops and singlets for men including football jumpers.

 

[Golumless]

Looking at that 3 game average, I'm going to have to tip 86 points to Adelaide.

Small sample size be damned.

 

[woopedazz]

100 points brah. Ez gaem.

Hopefully

 

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

If Adelaide are actually going to be a contender they need to win this and win this well.

Essendon are missing their second best contested ball winner, their second best goal kicker and their best ruckman. The Crows are very close to their best team.

Win this and top 2 is guaranteed, so that should be motivation enough for the team.

 

[mick500]

Carn z crows!!

 

[GreyCrow]

Confident of a big win 40+

That makes me nervous

 

[Lsta062]

I am going with Essendon by 15 points.

 

[Watson_my_mind]

Crows by 112

The return of ten goal Tommy
Sloane 32 disposals 2 goals 18 contested possessions
Jake Lever 26 1%ers

 

[Power Raid]

Comn crows!

 

[Bokonon_]

That is exactly what I think and I am happy with it.

I had us anywhere from 9th to 14th this year so I have been happy with our season to date.

Taking on the Crows head on is a dangerous game, we've done it and got whooped the last couple of times. Should make for a good spectacle, think you'll need your inside mids very hungry for the ball.