AFL Preview: Crows v Giants

Adelaide v GWS
Sunday 3:20pm
at Adelaide Oval

GWS will look to take advantage of an under strength Crows outfit

Form

Under the game plan of Don Pyke, the Crows were the highest scoring team of 2016. They have secured the services of all their forward line players however they are still thin in the midfield. This lack of depth in the middle was underlined when they unsuccessfully went after Bryce Gibbs in the off-season.

It’s the year of no excuses for the Giants as they embark on a quest to win their franchise’s first Premiership flag. With a talented and young spine consisting of Davis, Haynes, Ward, Patton and Cameron there is only upside in their 2017 output.

Stats That Matter

– Adelaide have won 4 of the last 5 matches against GWS.
– GWS have never defeated the Crows in Adelaide.
– Matches involving Adelaide went over the game total 62% of the time.
– GWS went +15% POT in 2016, ranking them fourth in the competition.
– Adelaide finished 2014 and 2015 in the negative for POT, but finished 2016 up 1%

Betting Data

2016 Line: Adelaide 15-9, GWS 15-8
2016 Over/Under: Adelaide 15-9, GWS 10-13

What To Expect

Adelaide will be looking to maintain their fortress at Adelaide Oval after going 9-2 at home last season. The task won’t get any tougher than the premiership favourites GWS Giants in round 1. With question marks over the fitness of a few of their senior midfielders and skipper Taylor Walker, the Crows look vulnerable. The Giants got through the JLT Series unscathed until the final match where they lost midfielder Stephen Coniglio with an ankle injury. With a list that arguably has the most talent in the AFL, the Giants can cover the loss of a midfielder better than most. To win here they need to beat Adelaide for the first time in their short history, and the Wolf thinks they can do it.

How It’s Shaping Up

GWS By 6

Recommended Bet

GWS WIN ($1.60)

Player Markets

Matt Crouch and Rory Laird will be picking up the midfield slack for the Crows here as Rory Sloane will be underdone if he plays coming back from a fractured eye socket. Crouch finished the year in great form averaging over 109 fantasy points in his last 10 games. Laird will make the move from the backline to the midfield and his 2016 average of 96.6 should move to three figures in 2017. The Giants will be without Stephen Coniglio so expect young gun Josh Kelly to step up. Kelly was outstanding in the JLT Series and in his last match against the Crows he scored 116 fantasy points. Dylan Shiel averages 31.5 disposals in his last 2 against the Crows and looks set for another great year.

Recommended Bet

Dylan Shiel 30+ Disposals ($2.50)