Adelaide Crows v Essendon Bombers
AFL Aussie Rules : Australia : AFL Premiership
Venue : AAMI Stadium, Adelaide
Saturday, 3rd July 2010, Start 19:40 AEST,

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The Bombers will be desperate for a win in this one as a loss would see them slip further behind in a race for a top 8 berth. Essendon lost 2 weeks ago to a Buddy Franklin inspired Hawthorn side, but this week will be just as tough having to play an improving Adelaide Crows team on the road.

The Crows had a very impressive win against the Demons at home last week and I see no reason why they cannot put forward a similar performance this week.

Adelaide Crows (14th, 4-9) Form : WLWLW

The Crows destroyed Melbourne last weekend and came away with a comfortable 44 point victory at home. This weekend they face a similar ranked team in the Bombers and the Crows faithful will expect nothing less than another victory. As I said last week the Crows are a proud club and will be attempting to restore some credibility next to its name in the second half of the season.

In the defence the likes of Ben Rutten and Scott Stevens will need to contain the key forwards for the Bombers. If they can do a good job at that I think the Dons may struggle to kick a competitive score, something I think the Crows will have no problems doing. Graham Johncock and Michael Doughty will be charged with the responsibility of playing on the smaller forwards and also with transferring the side from defence into attack.

The midfield for the Crows is still one of the best in the league when they click. The likes of Bernie Vince, Simon Goodwin and Scott Thompson are all terrific ball users and with David McKay and Brad Symes getting in and under the packs to gather the ball I see no reason why the centre combination for the Crows won’t have a big one come Saturday night. These men will get the ball and deliver it fast inside 50 where the forward targets will appreciate the fast inside 50 entries as they will have plenty of space.

Taylor Walker and Kurt Tippet. They are the two names that will be heard for years to come at the Adelaide Crows. Tippet in particular is one of the best marks in the league and he can hold his own against two opponents which is no mean feat. Expect these two to get on the scoreboard pretty often on Saturday the support given to them by Patrick Dangerfield and Richard Douglas is sure to help the Crows kick a very competitive score.

Essendon Bombers (10th, 5-8) Form : WWLLL

The Dons really need a win here to stay in touch with the 8, but things will not get any easier when they face a resurgent Adelaide team. The Dons have not really travelled well in recent years and going to AAMI Stadium will not make their quest for a win any easier.

Essendon’s backline is in for a long night on Saturday. Every member of the back 6 will need to be at their best as I feel they will have to deal with many inside 50 entries. Tayte Pears and Dustin Fletcher will be the main two figures for the Dons down back and most likely have to match up against Tippet and Walker. Henry Slattery and Mark McVeigh will need to have good games as well so the ball can be transferred up field and hopefully result in some scoring opportunities for the Bombers.

The centreline is led by Jobe Watson. The son of former Bombers great Tim Watson, Jobe seems to favour handballing instead of kicking. That is no problem but he will need 20 of the best handballs to inspire his fellow midfielders to win the hard ball and use it well. The midfield battle is the only battle of the three areas that I feel the Dons can compete in. It will be important that other names in Brent Prismall, Brent Stanton and Andrew Welsh can all get involved too and have some impact. If all three of these all quiet it could be a grim night for Essendon.

The small forwards Leroy Jetta and Alwyn Davey will need to have a big impact in this match. Their ability to chase down opponents who in turn cough up the ball and to rove in and around packs makes them two of the better small forwards in the league. The impact they have will be pivotal because the likes of Scott Gumbleton and Michael Hurley are still young and can be inconsistent. Both these men will be future stars but at their young age means we don’t know what to expect of them from game to game.

The Pick :

Adelaide to win

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Adelaide to win at 1.62 on Centrebet
(High Stakes-Bet of the Week)