Match Preview Round 3
Geelong v Adelaide
Sunday February 23
5.10pm
GMHBA Stadium

Last time we met:
Preliminary Final, 2019 at Adelaide Oval
Adelaide Crows 11.7 (73) d Geelong Cats 1.1 (7)

These two teams met in last year’s preliminary final at Adelaide Oval in front of a crowd of 13,429 fans. 

It was a day to forget for the Cats as the home side ran away with a 66-point win.

Geelong’s mature-aged players Meghan McDonald and Melissa Hickey stood up with 16 and 15 disposals respectively.

Rocky Cranston kicked Geelong’s only goal for the match at the 12-minute mark of the final quarter.

Adelaide went on to win the grand final against Carlton the following week.

The lowdown:

The Cats are a team of fast starts and slow finishes. The Crows are the opposite.

Adelaide has won one game and lost the other heading into Round 3.

In both games the Crows have been unable to register a score in the first quarter.

However, they have had strong final terms scoring more than their opposition when it counts.

Against Brisbane the Crows left their run too late, but against St Kilda last weekend they were able to run over the Saints in the final quarter.

Geelong has been able to match it with their opponents for the first part of their matches.

In Round 1 scores were level with Fremantle at three quarter time and against Brisbane last weekend they led the Lions by 11 points at halftime before fading away.

Which team will be able to sustain their performance across all four quarters?

Opposition focus

Adelaide has had an unfortunate run with injury this season. 

A number of their best players, including co-captains Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall, have suffered knee injuries. They will also be without ruck Rhiannon Metcalfe (knee), Deni Varhagen (knee) and Chloe Sheer (knee).

The Crows drafted former GWS Giants veteran Courtney Gum to bring experience to the side and the 38-year-old was outstanding in their win last week against the Saints.

Adelaide has a strong midfield even without Phillips with ball winners Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff leading the way.

Despite a slightly different looking side this year, the Crows still have plenty of experience across the ground.

Player to watch:

Meghan McDonald will play her first game of the season this weekend.

Even though the Cats backline has performed well in both matches so far, the addition of last year’s best and fairest and All Australian is an added bonus.

Not only is McDonald a stand out performer, the 28-year-old brings experience and leadership to the group.

The Cats will run onto the ground with more confidence this weekend knowing their vice-captain and defensive rock is back in the side.