Adelaide v Geelong, Adelaide Oval Thursday, April 10, 7.10pm ACST

Last time: Geelong 13.12 (90) d Adelaide 13.7 (85), R21 2024

What it means

Adelaide (3-1) has started to tick off its hoodoos as it presses for a return to finals for the first time since 2017 but a cloud remains over its recent results against Geelong. The Crows have won once in their past eight matches against the Cats but with the emerging side left seething after a contentious first loss of the season the focus will more likely turn to starting Gather Round with a bang.

Geelong (2-2) has stumbled through the early parts of the season but the signs were there that a more polished performance is not far away in a comfortable win over Melbourne. The Cats will get a better idea of how they are going against the resurgent Crows and should hold few fears of playing them on their home deck after winning five of their past six at Adelaide Oval.

Game shapers

Jordan Dawson has been a key to Adelaide’s resurgence this season as he leads the onball brigade and averages a career-high 27.5 disposals and 4.8 clearances a game. But it is in the front half where the Crows captain does the most damage with his kicking a powerful weapon as he has the most inside 50s in the competition with 31 to help fire the most potent attack.

Connor O'Sullivan has fit seamlessly into Geelong's backline since building on a single debut game last season to become a mainstay this year. The 19-year-old showed against Melbourne last week that he can be much more than a lockdown defender as he joined in attacking transitions while gathering an early career-high 23 disposals.