It’s a tough ask for Adelaide, who haven’t won at GMHBA Stadium since 2003. What can we expect when they take on the Cats at their fortress?
Geelong Cats vs Adelaide Crows
The Crows head to Geelong with some significant outs, including captain Jordan Dawson, making an already difficult trip even tougher.
Adelaide’s last win in Geelong came back in 2003, but with Geelong still finding their rhythm and Patrick Dangerfield sidelined, this may be more competitive than expected.
LEG 1 - Adelaide Crows +25.5
The line has blown out following the news that Dawson will miss, but Adelaide still look capable of keeping this competitive against a Geelong side still finding its feet early in the season.
The Cats will again be without Dangerfield, and they haven’t been dominant in night games at GMHBA Stadium in recent seasons.
Across their last ten night games at the venue, Geelong are just 6-4 and have only covered the line twice.
LEG 2 - Izak Rankine 1+ Goals
There may be a temptation for Matthew Nicks to push Rankine into a full-time midfield role with Dawson out, but he should still spend plenty of time forward.
Even when playing primarily as an attacking midfielder last season, Rankine kicked at least one goal in 19 of 22 games.
Across his last 58 games, he has kicked a goal in 51 of them, an 88% strike rate.
LEG 3 - Tanner Bruhn 20+ Disposals
Bruhn has been used across half-back this season and has found plenty of the football in that role.
He recorded 31 disposals in Round 0 and followed that up with 24 touches in Geelong’s Round 1 win over Fremantle.
LEG 4 - Bailey Smith 30+ Disposals
Midfielders have found plenty of the ball against Adelaide in their first two games this season. Nick Daicos had 33 in Round 1, while Bontempelli (30), Richards (29) and Liberatore (28) all dominated last week.
Bailey Smith collected 31 disposals against Fremantle and also had 35 touches and three Brownlow votes when he faced Adelaide last season.
The absence of Dawson at centre bounces should only increase Smith’s midfield impact.
Same Game Multi
Adelaide +25.5 / Bruhn 20+ Disposals / Smith 30+ Disposals / Rankine 1+ Goals = $6.00
