Geelong will host Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium for the 24th time in AFL history when the two sides do battle on Saturday afternoon.
The Cats are looking to continue their momentum on the back of a strong win last week, defeating North Melbourne by 40 points in Hobart.
The Crows were beaten by Hawthorn on Sunday, conceding 14 goals after quarter-time while only kicking three of their own to fall by 66 points.
With only four games remaining Geelong sit in sixth position, with every match important on the run home in one of the tightest seasons in recent history.
Adelaide is all but out of the running for a spot in the top eight but will be keen to gather momentum heading into next year.
In 23 meetings between the two sides at GMHBA Stadium, the Cats have only lost three times with the Crows’ last win Geelong coming 21 years ago in 2003.
Ladder
Geelong: 6th (12-7)
Adelaide: 15th (7-11-1)
Points For
Geelong – 1744
Adelaide – 1562
Points Against
Geelong – 1599
Adelaide – 1560
The Key Matchup – Stewart v Laird
Two crash and bash midfielders will go head to head this weekend, with Tom Stewart and Rory Laird expected to square off in the midfield.
Stewart continues to go from strength to strength this season averaging 27 disposals, nine marks and five clearances per game across the last five weeks.
Laird has put together another solid campaign in 2024 averaging 28 disposals, six clearances and six tackles per game.
Assuming Stewart remains in the midfield against the Crows, this will be a fun matchup to keep an eye on.
Restricting the Crows Tall Forwards
Adelaide has a very dangerous tall forward line-up including the likes of Taylor Walker, Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty.
In their wins this season, they have been able to take plenty of marks inside 50 and pose a real threat to opposition backlines.
Fortunately the Cats have an equally dangerous bevy of tall defenders, with the likes of Sam De Koning, Jake Kolodjashnij and Jack Henry in good form after stifling North Melbourne’s forward line last week.
Tom Stewart and Jack Henry combined for an incredible 23 intercept possessions against the Kangaroos, providing a formidable roadblock for the Crows once again this week.
Combined with the return of Jed Bews, the electric Lawson Humphries and the ever-reliable Zach Guthrie, expect the Cats to be up for the challenge on Saturday.
Defenders
Limiting Uncontested possessions
Adelaide has ranked reasonably well in contested numbers this season, but a key theme in their seven wins has been the ability to rack up plenty of uncontested footy.
In five of their wins this season, the Crows have accumulated more uncontested footy than their opponent which allows them to get their prime ball movers into dangerous positions.
With the expected return of captain Jordan Dawson, Adelaide will be linking up by hand when they find space, out-handballing their opponents in 12 of their 19 matches so far this season.
