Adelaide Crows v Melbourne Demons
AFL Aussie Rules : Australia : AFL Preiership
Venue : AAMI Stadium, Adelaide
Sunday, 27th June 2010 - Start 15:10 AEST

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An interesting match this one will be. Melbourne arguably has more to play for with Adelaide struggling near the foot of the ladder but I think the form line may go out the window in this match as the odds suggest.

Melbourne will be annoyed this game didn’t come a week earlier when they still had their momentum from their draw against the highly favoured Collingwood team. Adelaide on home soil after a week off will be rested and ready to prove they are nowhere near as bad as the table suggests (they were favoured to finish in the top 4 at the commencement of the season).

Adelaide Crows (15th, 3-9) Form : LWLWL

The Crows were embarrassed down in Launceston 2 weeks ago but as the second half of the season begins they will hope to turn a new page. Adelaide are notorious slow starters and will hope they can put some respectability back into the club starting this week.

The Crows forward line is very strong but it needs to kick accurate and not be wasteful in order to be a winning chance. Led by Kurt Tippet and Taylor Walker the youthful Adelaide forwards can really put on a display from time to time.

With the likes of Jared Petrenko and Jason Porplyzia there is no shortage of small forwards with ability to do the impossible. I think if the ball can get inside 50 quick and direct for the Crows they will find a way to punish their opponents on the scoreboard.

In the centre Adelaide have guys that at their best can be elite AFL midfielders but this has not been displayed at all this season. Brent Reilly and Scott Thompson are the two that come to mind. Their best efforts are really outstanding but their worst is awful. After being refreshed with a week away from the club I think these two guys could be the key to a Crows win on Sunday.

The defence will rely heavily on Ben Rutten and Nathan Bock. These are another two who have been below par this season but against a weaker opponent and after a rest I think there is no reason why they don’t come out and have solid performances. Simon Goodwin and Graham Johncock will be the two in charge of translating the ball from defence into attack, Johncock is probably one of the most unheralded players in the league but his ball use is exceptional and the way he reads play is second to none.

Melbourne Demons (13th, 4-7-1) Form : LWLLD

The Demons will be confident to some degree but would have preferred this to have been played a week earlier when they were peaking. They head to the city of churches needing a win to stay very close to the top 8. The Demons are making outstanding progress with their list rebuilding but are still having cases of inconsistency, so a road trip will be a test.

The forwards are led by Brad Miller and Brad Green. Green is the epitome of consistency having played well for a poor club for many years now. Miller, on the other hand, is one of those who may retire not having fulfilled their potential. Miller is well built and can kick a ball very well but goes missing too many times in big games. He starred for the Dees against the Pies 2 weeks ago but there is no reason to suggest he will carry this form on. He will be asked to step up this week for the Demons and if he can replicate his form from a fortnight ago the Demons may be in with a serious chance.

In the centre the Dees will miss Captain James McDonald this week who has a hamstring injury. But the young guys will no doubt step up. The likes of Tom Scully, Jack Trengove and Jordan Gysberts will need to be pretty good to cover for their skipper. All 3 were taken in last year’s draft and all appear good enough to play at least 200 games for this club. Brent Moloney and Cale Morton will offer support for the young blokes and need to ensure their ball use and pressure are the first things they address.

In defence it will once again be youngsters Jack Grimes and James Frawley who will be expected to fight hard against their opponents and win their battles. The Dees side is littered with youngsters and these two could turn out to be elite AFL defenders if they continue their progress as rapid as they are now. It won’t be easy for the Demon backs but a victory over their opponents will make the win a lot more possible.

The Betting Tip

I think a freshened Adelaide will turn the corner in the second half of the season, so I reckon they’ll win.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Adelaide to win on Centrebet at 1.62. (High Stakes)