3 minute read

A preview panel of the opening match of round three of the AFL.

Preview of the opening game of AFL Round Three (all times AEDT):

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

Adelaide v Geelong at Adelaide Oval, 7.50pm

Head to Head: Crows 20 Cats 23

Last clash: Round 17, 2018 Crows 16.16 (112) bt Cats 14.13 (97) at Adelaide Oval

Geelong have passed, with flying colours, two stern tests to open the season with wins against touted premiership contenders Collingwood and Melbourne. Another looms for Chris Scott's side against Adelaide, who rebounded from an opening-round loss with a scrappy away win against Sydney. The Cats have been remarkably efficient: they're ranked equal 11th for inside 50s but have scored the second-most goals in the competition. Can the Crows, with two-gamer Reilly O'Brien replacing injured lead ruckman Sam Jacobs, curtail the supply to the Geelong forwards? Adelaide's chances rely heavily on their pack-workers Matt Crouch averaging 32 disposals, his brother Brad 27 and Rory Sloane 29.5.

Key: Geelong ace Patrick Dangerfield left the Crows at the end of 2015 but the wounds open remain in Adelaide. After his 37 disposals and three goals last start, dimming his brilliance looms large in Adelaide's planning. Will the Crows give unheralded Riley Knight a run-with task?

Tip: Geelong by 10 points.