Match day guide and preview for the AFL Round 7 game between the Crows and Giants.
Who, when and where?
Adelaide Crows vs GWS Giants
Saturday 1 May 2021 at 2.10pm (AEST).
Adelaide Oval, South Australia.
All time head-to-head record: Played 13. Crows 10 wins. Giants 3 wins.
Ladder position and recent form
Adelaide Crows 9th – 102.7% | 566 points for | 551 points against | 3 wins & 3 losses | LWWLL
The Crows were well on their way to their fourth win on Sunday after a stunning first half against the Hawks.
They kicked an incredible 14.0 (84) in the first half but could only manage 15 points after the break on their way to a three-point loss.
Their top pick from last year, Riley Thilthorpe, was the shining light, booting five goals in a stellar AFL debut.
They are a far more competitive side than last season and should prove difficult to beat at home throughout the season.
GWS Giants 14th – 84.3% | 428 points for |508 points against | 2 wins & 4 losses | LWWLL
After two straight wins, the Giants put up a gallant fight against the Bulldogs last week but ran out of steam in the final quarter.
They once again fielded the youngest team in the AFL last round and played a strong three quarters against the top of the ladder side.
Lachie Ash is enjoying a tremendous season and has been their biggest improver so far in 2020, while Toby Greene is flourishing as the acting captain.
They have been competitive in all of their matches so far in 2021, but are lacking the talent they’ve enjoyed in previous seasons.
Last 5 meetings and Adelaide Oval history
- 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
- 2018 Round 11 – Crows 11.15 (81) defeated by Giants 14.13 (97) at Adelaide Oval
- 2017 Qualifying Final – Crows 12.12 (84) defeat Giants 6.12 (48) at Adelaide Oval
The home sides have largely dominated the previous encounters, winning four of the last five meetings.
Four have been played at Adelaide Oval with the Giants winning just one of those in 2018 while they also won the other game at Manuka Oval.
Despite picking up the wooden spoon in 2020, the Crows put an end to the Giants finals hopes with a 12-point victory late in the season.
The two sides have met seven times at Adelaide Oval previously with the Crows winning six of those by an average of 33.67 points per game. It’s an imposing record for the Giants to overcome with their lone win at the venue against the Crows coming in 2018. However, the Giants have won three of their four games against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval but that’s pretty irrelevant for this game isn’t it?
Players in form
Giants – Lachie Ash
After being taken at pick 4 in the 2019 AFL Draft, Ash enjoyed a solid debut season playing 12 games while averaging 11.3 disposals, 2.6 marks and 1.3 rebound 50s per game.
He has improved out of sight in his second season with the club clearly loving putting the ball in his hands across half-back. In 2021 he is averaging 23.8 disposals, 7.7 marks and 5.3 rebound 50s per game and would only be behind Toby Greene in the Giants best and fairest count.
Look for him to be racking up the touches across half back once again and taking the game on with his pace. He has also recently signed a two-year extension with the club which will see him stay at GWS until at least the end of 2023.
Crows – Taylor Walker
After many were writing him off after a couple of lean seasons, ‘The Texan’ has had an almighty resurgence in 2021.
He leads the Coleman Medal race with 25 goals across the opening 6 rounds and is averaging career highs in goals (4.2), disposals (16.7) and goal assists (1.5).
With the Giants missing Phil Davis and Nick Haynes, the Crows tall forwards could prove a handful with Tex the man most likely to do the damage.
Ins and outs
The Giants have one potential huge inclusion with star Lachie Whitfield available after recovering from a liver injury.
Whitfield suffered the injury 12 weeks ago and spent nine days in hospital but is now ready for selection but could be eased back into footy via the VFL.
Jesse Hogan is a confirmed in for the Giants after it was announced he will make his club debut on Saturday.
Hogan kicked four goals in the VFL last round and could come in for Jake Riccardi who struggled to have an impact against the Dogs with just four disposals and one behind.
Unfortunately, All Australian defender Nick Haynes will miss a month with a hamstring injury and with the Giants already without Phil Davis, it could leave them short down back.
They have Lachlan Keefe, Sam Taylor, Connor Idun and Jack Buckley that will have to get the job done against a tall Crows forward line.
Adelaide has a reasonably clean bill of health with midfielder Sam Berry a chance of returning while Will Hamill may miss with an ankle injury.
It’s unliklely Tom Lynch will be the medical sub again after he struggled to impact the game after taking his time to come on last week.
Their tall forward line looked superb in the first half but perhaps made them a little bit slow around the ground as the game went on.
With Walker and Thilthorpe certainties to line up and Elliott Himmeberg the second ruck, Darcy Fogarty could be forced out to inject more run into the side.
Teams will be announced on Friday at 6.20. Click here to view.
Other match details
Saturday afternoon’s match will be shown live on Channel 7 in the ACT and NSW and on Foxtel Channel 503 and Kayo nationally from 2pm.
Click here for Adelaide Oval COVIDSafe measures if attending.
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