The Pies travel east this weekend to face the Crows in an important match. The Crows have managed to scalp some huge wins this season, including ending the Demon's undefeated run. The Pies will look to end their momentum this weekend.

Last Time We Met

Adelaide 38 defeated by Collingwood 62

An incredibly low scoring first half was eventually blown out by the Pies thanks to 2 goals in the last 20 seconds of the third term. The Crows started off well, however Collingwood did a good job grinding out a result in the end.

Taylor Adams had 27 disposals to lead the way, accompanied by a strong match from Darcy Cameron who kicked 2 goals. Jack Crisp was also strong, amassing 22 disposals including 2 goal assists, 459 meters gained and 3 clearances.

Marquee Match-Ups

Jordan Roughead v Taylor Walker

Another week, another massive task for the ever reliant Jordan Roughead. This week, its Crows spearhead Tex Walker who Roughy will look to nullify.

Roughead has had arguably a career best season, taking care of the likes of Charlie Dixon, Nick Larkey, Josh Kennedy and Eric Hipwood. His experience down back has been a vital part of the Pies back 6 and he continues to impress every week.

Tex Walker has had a career resurgence after many wrote him off in 2020. Back to his best, Tex has 34 goals so far this season to sit 2nd in the Coleman Medal behind Carlton’s Harry McKay.

Jack Crisp v Rory Laird

Interestingly, both Crisp and Laird have excelled in a change of roles from rebounding defenders to inside midfielders.

Laird is a ball magnet, averaging 30.36 disposals a game this season and a career high 6.64 clearances per game. He has also drastically lifted his contested possession output, increasing his average contested possessions to 14.82 per game this season. His previous best in this category was 9.92 contested possessions per game in 2018.

Crisp has also significantly increased his ball-winning capabilities as a shift in his role has found him spend a lot more time in the midfield. Averaging a career high 26.91 disposals per game. What’s been important is Crisp’s ability to utilise the ball in an effective manner. Crisp has increased his average effective disposals per game to 18.9 per game, 2.4 better than his career average.

Scott Pendlebury v Rory Sloane

Two veterans and champions of the game go head to head this weekend as they lead their sides to battle. Pendlebury will play his 328th game, while Sloane will run out for his 219th game.

Pendlebury has struggled for form lately, averaging 23.64 disposals; the lowest since his 2nd season in the league (2007). Playing a lot more forward of the ball, even coming out of the goal square as the full forward at one stage.

Rory Sloane is backing up a very tough 2020 with an awesome 2021. Averaging just 15.75 disposals last year, Sloane has increased his output to 23.57 disposals per game; a resurgence back to his best from years such as 2016 when he earned himself a spot in the All-Australian team.

Look Out For

Max Lynch is back

The 22-year-old returns to the senior side after plying his trade in the VFL so far this season. Lynch made his debut last season against the Lions, and will play his second AFL game with the injury to Brodie Grundy.

A workhorse in the middle, Max is a great tap ruckman. He earned his debut last season after he absolutely dominated the scratch matches that occurred in the AFL Hub on the Gold Coast. In similar fashion, Max has excelled in the VFL this season. He’s averaging 29 hit-outs and 10 disposals a game, with great performances against Gold Coast’s Zac Smith and Werribee’s Wylie Buzza and Matthew Lobbe (both ex-AFL players).

Look out for Max to bring his enthusiasm and energy to the ruck on the weekend.

The Inside Word

How will the Pies deal with the omission of star ruckman Brodie Grundy? The answer: Max Lynch and Darcy Cameron.

Max Lynch will return for his 2nd AFL match with Grundy sidelined this week. The ruck-forward hybrid has been dominant in the VFL this season before a calf injury had spend a few weeks on the sidelines. He’s shown he can do it against AFL calibre players, with strong performances against some very experienced ruck combinations in the VFL.

Meanwhile, Darcy Cameron has solidified himself in the Pies best 22. His contested marking this season has been outstanding, and has been a pinch hit ruckman behind Grundy. With the less experienced Lynch playing this week, expect Cameron to have a slightly increased ruck role potentially with help from other tall players such as Jordan Roughead and Brody Mihocek.

Pies Priority

The Pies have been in games the last couple of weeks, losing by just 1-point against Port Adelaide and 10 points against Geelong.

The priority for this week is to make our chances count. Collingwood haven’t kicked double digit goals since the win against North Melbourne in round 8, but have kicked double digit behinds since round 7 against the Gold Coast.

The boys need to turn that statistic around if they are going to put the pressure on the Crows.

Adelaide v Collingwood
AFL Round 12
Saturday, June 5
Adelaide Oval
4.35pm AEST