Here is the match day guide and preview for the Giants round one clash against the Crows as the AFL returns for 2023.
Match details
- Who: Adelaide Crows vs GWS Giants
- When: Sunday 19 March, 1.10pm
- Where: Giants Stadium, Sydney
- Weather: Min 20 Max 32. Chance of rain 5%
- Click here to buy tickets
- All time head-to-head record: Played 15. Giants 5 wins. Crows 10 wins.
Teams
Giants
GWS are running with a near full strength line-up with former Demon Toby Bedford the only possible best 22 missing through injury. Toby Greene will lead the club out for the first time as sole captain.
Crows
Star recruit Izak Rankine makes his Adelaide debut and should bring plenty of class and polish to the Crows’ forward line that is starting to look pretty dangerous. AFL debutant Max Michalanney become Adelaide’s first father-son to play for the club, while fan favourite Rory Sloane returns from an ACL injury.
2022 recap and 2023 outlook
2022: GWS Giants 16th – 84.6% | 1631 points for | 1927 points against| 6 wins 16 losses
2022 was a difficult year for the Giants, as the club parted ways with coach Leon Cameron amidst their worst finish to a season since 2014.
Sam Taylor was a clear standout for the club, with the 23-year-old key defender earning his first All-Australian nod and best and fairest win. Stephen Coniglio also had a much improved season, while Tom Green improved
The game has transitioned to favouring teams willing to take risks and move the ball forward quickly and GWS were unable to do so last year.
New coach Adam Kingsley has promised his side will play a significantly different game style in 2023 compared to last year which should hopefully suit the modern game better.
There is still a fair chunk of talent on this GWS list, so if the new game style clicks quickly, they have the potential to do what the Magpies did in 2022.
2022: Adelaide Crows 14th – 86.7% | 1721 points for | 1986 points against | 8 wins 14 losses
The Crows took some small steps forward last season, but this is a proud club with plenty of impatient fans who are desperate to play finals again, or at least finish above the Power on the ladder for the first time since 2017.
The highlight of the season was the after the siren match winner by Jordan Dawson against Port in round three, while they also secured good wins against the Dogs, Richmond and Carlton.
Rory Laird was superb for the club last year averaging 33 disposals and 8 tackles, while new recruit and now new skipper Jordan Dawson was also brilliant in his first year at the club.
This rebuild has been a bit of a slow burn for the Crows and they’re now one of many clubs looking to surge into the top 8.
Last 5 meetings and Giants Stadium history
- 2022 round 7: Crows 8.6 (54) lost to Giants 17.11 (113) at Adelaide Oval
- 2021 round 7: Crows 4.15 (39) lost to Giants 15.16 (106) at Adelaide Oval
- 2020 round 16: Crows 8.11 (59) defeat Giants 7.5 (47) at Adelaide Oval
- 2019 round 12: Crows 12.10 (82) defeat Giants 9.7 (61) at Adelaide Oval
- 2018 round 21: Giants 15.16 (106) defeat Crows 13.14 (92) at Manuka Oval
GWS have won four of the last six matches against the Crows, including a 59-point thumping in Adelaide last year.
Interestingly, this will be the first clash between the sides in Sydney since 2015, with eight of the last nine encounters played in Adelaide and the other in Canberra.
They have played just four times at Giants Stadium, with the Crows holding a 3-1 edge, although GWS won the last clash all the way back in round 8, 2015.
Pre match predictions
Unbelievable coaching, awesome win: Adam Kinglsey to get a win in his first game as GWS coach.
Master Keays: Ben Keays to have 20 touches and kick two goals.
Have any pre match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
