Saturday’s AFL 2018 Round 15 match is between Adelaide Crows and West Coast Eagles. The opening kick is set to commence at 16:35 local time with the game to be played at Adelaide Oval. The away team West Coast Eagles are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Adelaide Crows and West Coast Eagles.
When: 16:35 | Saturday 30/06/2018
Where: Adelaide Oval
Preview:
Injuries are the main reason for the Crows’ recent slump but they are expected to welcome back some key personnel which will clearly help.
At 6-7, a finals berth looks beyond the Crows.
After their hefty loss last week, I think the Crows will respond strongly off the break and they’ll also have key players coming back.
West Coast’s makeshift forward line was unable to fire without Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy.
I’m a little bit surprised with their poor effort across the board just not the forward line.
There’s not much the Eagles can do until Kennedy and Darling come back.
Scott Lycett will need to play better than he did last week.
KEY BATTLE: Sam Jacobs v Nic Nat
Nic Nat was well beaten last week and will look to respond.
Sam Jacobs has been below his best all year and will need to dig deep on Saturday.
The Verdict
Adelaide, who are 11-5 (68.8 percent) at Adelaide Oval, to respond at home.
Unibet Odds:
Adelaide at $1.72
West Coast at $2.15
Odds:
Tip: West Coast Eagles at $1.98
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Liam Ryan at $13.00
More Info:
Teams:
Adelaide Crows: 
B: Brown, Talia, Doedee
HB: Mackay, Hartigan, Laird
C: Douglas, Sloane, Seedsman
HF: Milera, Fogarty, Poholke
F: Walker, Jenkins, Gallucci
FOLL: Jacobs, M.Crouch, Gibbs
I/C: Greenwood, Kelly, Hampton, Cheney
EMG: Davis, Atkins, Wilson, Murphy
IN: Brown, Laird, Sloane, Fogarty, Hampton
OUT: Otten, Betts, Gibson, Atkins, Wilson
West Coast Eagles: 
B: Hurn, Schofield, Sheppard
HB: Jetta, McGovern, Cole
C: Hutchings, Redden, Gaff
HF: Masten, Waterman, Cripps
F: Rioli, McInness, Ryan
FOLL: Naitanui, Yeo, Shuey
I/C: Duggan, Lycett, Ah Chee, Ainsworth
EMG: Sheed, Nelson, Allen, Vardy
IN: Ah Chee, Ainsworth
OUT: LeCras, Nelson
AFL News:
West Coast could be facing a forward-line crisis if Mark LeCras succumbs to a wrist injury.
LeCras injured his right wrist during last week’s 28-point AFL loss to Essendon.
Although the 31-year-old was able to play out the game with his wrist heavily strapped, it’s been reported he suffered a dislocation and may require surgery.
West Coast’s forward line is already ravaged by injuries.
Jack Darling (fractured ankle) is still at least three weeks away from playing, while fellow spearhead Josh Kennedy (hairline fracture in right leg) is no certainty to return against Adelaide on Saturday.
Last week, West Coast won the inside-50m count 59-45 against Essendon, but managed just six goals for the match.
It was a similar case the previous week against Sydney, when West Coast won the inside-50m count 63-52, but only managed seven goals.
Forwards Jake Waterman, Liam Ryan, and Willie Rioli have combined for just three goals over the past two weeks.
Last week’s inclusion Fraser McInnes went goalless against Essendon, while Jarrod Brander went goalless from five disposals in his sole outing against Sydney.
Ruckman Nic Naitanui admits the absence of Kennedy and Darling has left a major void in the forward line.
“They’re vital to our team,” Naitanui said.
“The experience is the biggest part that we lose.
“We’ve got a pretty young forward line. Amongst them, they’ve only played a handful of game.
“Missing guys like that, it does hurt the team. But we’ll have to find a way to get around that.”
West Coast have slipped to third spot following two straight losses.
A defeat to the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday would put a major dent in West Coast’s top-four hopes.
Star defender Jeremy McGovern was sent forward during the last quarter against Essendon.
If fellow defender Tom Barrass is able to return from a back injury this week, McGovern could play in attack for the whole game against the Crows.
Adelaide (6-7) could be bolstered by the return of Tom Lynch (side strain), midfielder Rory Sloane (foot), All-Australian defender Rory Laird (hand), and Luke Brown (ankle).