A Giant victory will prove Hawk win was no fluke for buoyant Crows
By Tom McLean

Adelaide will go into Tuesday’s match against the Giants full of confidence after securing their maiden win for 2020 with a five goal triumph over Hawthorn. The Crows led from go to whoa and would have won by more, if it weren’t for inaccurate kicking in front of goal in the first quarter. Adelaide dominated the midfield with Reilly O’Brien’s tap work giving the Crows midfielders first use. Ben Keays (22 disposals, eight score involvements) played his best game in the tricolours, with excellent support provided by the Crouch brothers. Up forward Tyson Stengle was electric, while Fogarty, Jones, Schoenberg and Walker all kicked two goals apiece.

GWS also found some form in their big win over Fremantle in Perth last weekend to keep them in touch of the Top 8 – with a game in hand. Playing just his second AFL match, Jake Riccardi was outstanding for the Giants, kicking four goals and taking nine marks, after 2 goals and 10 marks in his debut match the previous week. Defender Lachie Whitfield (31 disposals, nine intercept possessions) was BOG for the Giants. Tim Taranto (25 disposals, five clearances) and Steve Coniglio (24 disposals, three clearances) dominated the midfield to prevent the Dockers from going inside 50.

The fixturing should favour the Crows, with Adelaide playing yet another Tuesday twilight match – their third consecutive match in Adelaide, while GWS have had to play twice in Perth, fly back to Queensland to play Carlton, before coming to Adelaide on a five day break.

The Giants injury list is getting shorter with Phil Davis a chance to shake off his knee trouble to provide the backline with some stability. Josh Kelly will be hoping to get back on the field after his nasty collision with Shane Mumford’s knee in the win over Fremantle. For Adelaide Andrew McPherson will be hoping he has overcome his latest hamstring setback, while Wayne Milera’s foot injury is lingering and he may not return until 2021.

Four South Australians are in the Giants’ squad – though possibly none will be playing on Tuesday due to form and injury. Three are former Crows players – AFL Crows Phil Davis (St Peter’s College) and Sam Jacobs (Ardrossan), along with former Crows SANFL top up player Tom Hutchesson (Millicent). Jackson Hately (Trinity College) was drafted by GWS and will be looking to add to his tally of 12 games as we approach the business end of the season.

Adelaide were impressive in their win over Hawthorn, but it was likely a case of the struggling Hawks simply making the Crows look good. The finals bound Giants will provide a far greater challenge for the Crows and have far more to play for than the hapless Hawks.

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