PREVIEW OF THURSDAY NIGHT'S AFL QUALIFYING FINAL: (all times ):
Thursday, September 7
Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval, 7.50pm (AEST)
Head to Head: Crows 8 Giants 1
Last clash: Round 1, 2017 - Crows 22.15 (147) bt Giants 14.7 (91) at Adelaide Oval
Tab Sportsbet odds: Crows $1.50 Giants $2.60
William Hill: Crows $1.50 Bulldogs $2.60
The table-topping Crows boast the league's highest-scoring attack but both coaches predict this final will be decided around the packs - expect it to be a brutal battle. The Crows are the top-ranked team for winning contested possessions and the Giants are ranked eighth. But GWS are No.1 for winning clearances and the Crows are ranked second. What team gains an ascendancy around the midfield packs will be crucial in determining the victor, to be rewarded with a home preliminary final. Both clubs possess game-breaking forwards: Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts for the Crows, Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene for the Giants. A worry for the Crows is their sluggish starts - they've won just nine first quarters this season.
Key: The ruck duel between Adelaide's Sam Jacobs and the Giants' Shane Mumford. Both are among the best ruckmen in the business and if either can gain an edge and give their midfield first use of the ball, they'll likely be on the winning side.
Tip: Crows by 12 points
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