After such a long wait, round 1 of the 2015 AFL premiership season has been completed. After the nine games had been played it became apparent that once again Hawthorn stood out from the pack, with several other teams clambering to be in a group behind them. After just one round of games the most impressive performance was from the Adelaide Crows, who on Sunday absolutely destroyed North Melbourne in the statement performance of the opening weekend. The Crows, a side that missed the finals the past two seasons, jumped out of the blocks with a 12 goal to 3 first half to all but secure the win by the long break. Under new coach Phillip Walsh it was an impressive performance that really put the Crows name up there as a finals contender.

This Saturday, the Crows travel to Melbourne to play another round one winner, Collingwood, at Etihad Stadium in the twilight time slot. The Magpies win may not have been as impressive as the Crows opener, but an interstate win against the Brisbane Lions, by 12 points, gave the biggest club in the land a nice start to the season also. Like the Crows the Pies led by a large margin just after half time, until the home team came roaring home in one of the games of the round. With both clubs having a win under their belts already, a win here is more of an opportunity then a necessity, with the winner certain to find themselves in the upper echelon of the ladder.

Adelaide and Collingwood clashed twice last season with the Crows coming away victors in both games. The first was a 21 point win at the fortress that is Adelaide Oval early in the season, a game that had some controversy regarding the volume of the siren. The second clash, later in the season, resulted in a 16 point win for the Crows at the M.C.G. when superstar Patrick Dangerfield took over late and ensured an away win. This weekend’s game is a real opportunity for two sides who weren’t rated that highly to start the season on a perfect note with a 2-0 record.

PREVIOUS FORM

With only one proper round completed there’s not much form to go on but what there is seems impressive from both teams. The Crows big win at home against North Melbourne was the perfect way to start the season under their new senior coach. After an initial period of jousting the Crows took the game over half way through the first quarter and never looked back. The speed and accuracy of the ball movement from the home team was as proficient as any teams’ throughout round 1. The most promising sign for Adelaide though was how the forward line functioned, with Taylor Walker booting 6 goals, Eddie Betts getting 4 goals and Josh Jenkins putting 3v majors on the board. Of course the poor effort from the Kangaroos made it a little easier for the Crows but the domination could not be ignored by any future opponents.

Collingwood ventured up to Brisbane as under dogs last Saturday night and started the season on fire, at one point holding a 53 point lead. The Lions charged late as the Pies tired in the humidity but they couldn’t get within single figures as Collingwood notched a 12 point win. The loss of Steele Sidebottom (broken thumb) in game was the only negative for the Magpies on the night as they showed quicker ball movement and better accuracy, something which was similar to the Crows. Pendlebury, Swan and Sidebottom lead from the front although the 31 possession game from Taylor Adams showed he is ready to take that next step and dominate at this level. It wasn’t a perfect night for tall forwards yet Travis Cloke and Jesse White had 10 shots at goal between them, something that shows this Pies forward line will be dangerous in 2015. It was a great start to the season for a club under a lot of media pressure.

COLLINGWOOD PREVIEW

The Magpies came into 2015 with a lot of external pressure on them. The media had already placed senior coach Nathan Buckley high on the ladder of coaches in danger of getting the sack, yet half way through the third quarter last week all was going rosy for the Pies. The loss of Steele Sidebottom with a broken thumb put a dampener on the win, as did the 30 minute period where the Lions kicked 7 goals in a row. The final 8-10 minutes would have pleased Buckley as the Pies repelled attack after attack from the home team and held on for the two goal win. Young ruckman Brodie Grundy was one of the Pies best in those first 3 quarters, but with little support he tired late and he may need more support this week against the Crows. The midfield won the battle in those first 2 and ½ quarters with the usual suspects leading the way. The increase in output from Adams and Blair also added to that early midfield dominance with Blair named by the club as their best contributor on the night.  It was a performance that most media judges didn’t expect and one that raised the hopes of the Magpies returning to the finals in 2015.

The loss of Sidebottom and the unavailability of Greenwood and Reid means that Collingwood go into this game nowhere near full strength. Their is capable back up though with Sam Dwyer, Tim Broomhead, Ben Kennedy, Paul Seedsman, Nathan Freeman and Jonathon Marsh all impressing in the VFL on Saturday. The coaching staff will look at the midfield as the area that needs assistance against the Crows so Dwyer, Broomhead, Kennedy and Freeman will come into contention. Watching the VFL is an experience itself these days at Collingwood with so many future stars running around, with Darcy Moore obviously the biggest interest for most. This weekend should see the experienced duo of Ben Reid and Jarrod Witts return with Matt Scharenberg and Clinton Young close to returning too. It shows the young talent the Magpies have on their list and the improvement that lays within. Against the Crows though the Pies will have to make do, and although they will go in under full strength if they apply that intense pressure that is their trademark they can push the Crows and even pull of an upset.

OPPOSITION ANALYSIS

The Crows entered season 2015 with a new found sense of hope after switching senior coaches in the off season. Out went Brenton Sanderson, who only 2 seasons back had got them within a kick of a grand final, and in came Phillip Walsh, who had worked with the juggernaut that is Port Adelaide for the past few seasons. Adelaide started last season with a 4-7 win loss record, and despite flying home to only miss the finals by one game a coaching change came. Straight away it’s given the playing group a boost with Walsh wanting the group to play a fast flowing, aggressive form of football. The size of the Adelaide Oval playing field was used to full effect versus the Kangaroos as the Crows ran wild for the best part of four quarters. The Crows really do look like a team that will return to the finals after 2 seasons out.

The Crows midfield is stacked with talent and is an obvious area of strength. Contract disputes with stars Dangerfield and Sloane may be some distraction later in the year but early on those two were as good as anyone against North. Their midfield really is deep with Dangerfield, Sloane, Douglas (a game high 31 possessions last week), McKay, Henderson and Eliis-Yeoman making it a really strong group. Add the returning Nathan Van Berlo and the small forwards who play as mids when the ball comes forward and this is a formidable central core. They are well serviced in the ruck too by Sam Jacobs with Josh Jenkins helping the man they call “Sauce” out. The Pies midfield will be weakened this week due to injury so this is the area the Crows will look to dominate in.

The Adelaide forward line is starting to come together nicely, as show by the fact that James Podsiadly can’t get a game. Taylor Walker started the season on fire last week, and with the likes of Betts, Jenkins, Lynch and Cameron helping him out scoring once they get the ball forward won’t be a problem for the Crows. They meet a Collingwood backline this week that is also weakened by injury with Ben Reid the real missing piece for the Magpies The Crows will look to stretch the Pies relatively young defense and with Walker fit and firing it’s going to be a real test for the Magpies for sure.

The Crows backline on paper may appear to be a weakness as shown by being the 11^th ranked defense in 2014. They do possess one of the best young defenders in the AFL though in Daniel Talia who is likely to face off with Travis Cloke on Saturday. Other youngsters Luke Brown and Kyle Hartigan make up the key defenders for Adelaide and will have to be on their game against a dangerous Magpies forward line. Where the Crows will try and exploit Collingwood is with their ball movement and run out of the defensive zone, and teams in the past have dominated the Magpies in that area. This may well be the one part of the ground though that the Pies will look to get on top and pressure the Crows into mistakes.

The Adelaide Crows are still a work in process but if round 1 was anything to go by that work is coming along quite well. Of course they have to travel this week but surely they would see it as a real opportunity to test their new found confidence. The Crows won’t make many changes to the 22 that played against the Kangaroos because as they say “it it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. Adelaide will start this game as favourite but know that beating Collingwood in Melbourne won’t be easy, and they will have to play near their best to start the season with a  2-0 record.

TIP

Adelaide will enter this game as clear favourites and most so called experts will tip them to get over the line on Saturday. Collingwood though seem to have developed a game plan that relies more on attack and pressure of the ball carrier then the personnel named on the field. The Crows ability to win the midfield battle will decide this game, if they can get on top for longer periods then the Lions were able to, they will win.

However if Collingwood is able to break even, or even dominate as they did against the Lions for almost 3 quarters, their forward line is good enough to put a score on the board. Being under the roof at Etihad conditions don’t suit or hinder either team but being at home for the first time should be a distinct advantage for the Pies. Ultimately it comes down to who will play at a higher intensity for longer and with a confidence boosting win under their belts, I believe Collingwood can get the win here.

MAGPIES BY 5 POINTS.

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