PREVIEW PANEL FOR THE AFL GRAND FINAL:
SATURDAY, Sept 30
* Adelaide v Richmond at MCG, 2.30pm
* Head to head: Crows 23 Tigers 12
* Last clash: Round 6 2017 - Crows 21.14 (140) bt Tigers 10.4 (64) at Adelaide Oval
* Head to head in finals: First finals meeting
* Last final: First finals meeting
* Tab Sportsbet: Crows $1.61 Tigers $2.30
* William Hill: Crows $1.65 Tigers $2.25
The wait is finally over for the two sides with the longest active AFL grand-final droughts. Adelaide last competed for the flag in 1998, while Richmond have had to wait 35 long years between drinks. Tigers fans are daring to dream but they will face an imposing opponent in the Crows. Already boasting elite forwards and a strong backline, the minor premiers have turned their supposed weakness - their midfield - into a huge strength. But Richmond have enormous belief and momentum, not to mention the best player in the AFL in Dustin Martin. And Daniel Rioli's four preliminary-final goals showed the Tiger cubs won't be overawed by the big stage.
Key: Can the Crows stop Martin? The unbackable Brownlow Medal favourite has had a big finals campaign and loves performing on the big stage. His strength and ability to fend off opponents makes him extremely difficult to match up on in the middle. And his dynamism and contested marking ability means he's also hard to stop when he is played up forward. If the Crows can keep 'Dusty' quiet, they'll go a long way towards winning a third flag.
Tip: Tigers by 14 points
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