SUMMARY
Adelaide must defeat South Adelaide and rely on a string of other results to sneak into fifth place this weekend. Four clubs are fighting for the last spot available in this year’s SANFL finals series. All eyes will be on Glenelg, which can seal its place in the major round by downing West Adelaide in the late game on Saturday. To have any chance, Adelaide must defeat the Panthers, make up a small percentage deficit to the Bays and hope Central District, which boasts the best percentage of all four clubs in contention, fall to minor premiers Woodville-West Torrens.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 5
South Adelaide: 3
WHERE AND WHEN: Hickinbotham Oval, Saturday, August 26, 2.10pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R2, 2017, South Adelaide 13.6 (84) d by Adelaide 13.12 (90) at Encounter Bay Oval
SF, 2016, South Adelaide 13.8 (86) d by Adelaide 22.8 (140) at Adelaide Oval
R22, 2016, South Adelaide 14.16 (100) d Adelaide 9.8 (62) at Hickinbotham Oval
R6, 2016, South Adelaide 14.7 (91) d Adelaide 13.12 (90) at Hickinbotham Oval
R17, 2015, South Adelaide 9.9 (63) d by Adelaide 10.17 (77) at Hickinbotham Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Crows won a thriller in the last meeting between the two teams in Round Two at Encounter Bay Oval. Brad Crouch had a match-high 31 possessions and 11 clearances while Elliott Himmelberg and Harry Dear booted three goals each in the six-point victory.
2. Four clubs are vying for fifth place heading into the final round of the SANFL season. Glenelg, Central District, South Adelaide and Adelaide could all feature in the major round pending results in Round 18. Woodville-West Torrens, Port Adelaide, Sturt and Norwood have already qualified.
3. Wingman Paul Seedsman was No.1 in the SANFL for uncontested possessions (25) last round. His overall disposal count of 33 was second only to South Adelaide’s Joel Cross (40) in Round 17.
4. South Adelaide is the best tackling team in the competition this year. The Panthers average 73 tackles per game. Adelaide ranks fifth with 65 tackles per match.
5. The SANFL Crows have won the past two meetings against South Adelaide, but the Panthers have claimed the last two games between the two teams at Hickinbotham Oval. Saturday will be Adelaide’s only trip to the venue this season.
6. Returning defenders Kyle Hartigan and Kyle Cheney combined for nine intercept marks in last week’s loss to Woodville-West Torrens.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Ben Davis
The first-year Crow impressed in unfamiliar territory across half-back in last week’s clash with the Eagles. After missing most of the year due to a foot injury, Davis has steadily built his form and confidence in his last four games at SANFL level. The 20-year-old will be aiming to finish the season strongly and springboard into his second season as a Crow.
