Eagles Won't Have Enough Firepower

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday September 16, 2005

Richard Hinds

It is a sign of how fiercely the focus has been on tonight's happenings at the MCG - and how greatly divided the national competition remains - that one Melbourne newspaper yesterday devoted just a solitary paragraph to the other preliminary final between Adelaide and West Coast.

Yet just three weeks ago, the round-22 clash between the Crows and the Eagles that determined the minor premiership was seen as a possible preview of the grand final. And, even allowing for St Kilda's sudden re-emergence and the resilience of the Swans, the survivors of tomorrow's match will strongly fancy their chances in the grand final.

Adelaide's eight-point victory in round 22 is a strong form line. The Crows shackled the brilliant West Coast midfield and, like the Swans in their desperately unlucky loss two weeks ago, squeezed the Eagles' cumbersome attack. It will be of some concern to coach John Worsfold that his team has kicked just 10 goals in each of its past two outings - especially with goalsneak Phil Matera sidelined by a groin injury.

Another worry for Worsfold will be that even though brilliant on-ballers Ben Cousins, Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr all got off the chain against the Swans, they could not rack up a big score - again, perhaps because they simply don't have reliable targets at which to aim. West Coast will be under strong pressure from the Crows' big midfielders tomorrow. The challenge for Judd, Cousins, Kerr and Co will be not simply to win more of the ball but to put the score on the board themselves - assuming the likes of Quinten Lynch, Michael Gardiner and Ashley Hansen can't become more effective targets.

Adelaide also had scoring problems against St Kilda in their qualifying finals defeat but were far more impressive against Port. While forwards Scott Welsh, Ian Perrie and Ken McGregor were multiple goal scorers, they also got a big contribution from their midfield.

It remains difficult to win at Subiaco. The Crows' victory three weeks ago was the Eagles' first loss at the ground in 21 matches. But Adelaide have proved they can stifle West Coast's run and the Eagles don't have the firepower to overcome the AFL's tightest defence.

PREDICTION: Adelaide by 10 points.

PRELIMINARY FINAL 2

West Coast v Adelaide

Saturday 3pm, Subiaco Oval

WEST COAST

B Wirrpunda Glass Hunter

HB Chick Staker Stenglein

CR Jones Cousins Braun

HF Nicoski Hansen Kerr

F Sampi Lynch Gardiner

Foll Cox Judd Fletcher

Int Banfield B Jones Embley Seaby

In: R Jones Out: Matera (groin)

ADELAIDE

B Bassett Rutten McLeod

HB Hart Bock Torney

C Burton Ricciuto Mattner

HF Hentschel McGregor Thompson

F Edwards Welsh Perrie

Foll Biglands Shirley Goodwin

Int Clarke Doughty SkipworthJohncock

Unchanged

Past five: West Coast 2, Adelaide 3.

Last time: Adelaide 12.10 (82) d West Coast 10.14 (74), rd 22, Subiaco Oval.

Davidson: West Coast $1.67, Adelaide $2.25.

TV: Channel Ten live, 2.30pm.

© 2005 Sydney Morning Herald

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