ADELAIDE v RICHMOND

TOMORROW MCG, 2.30PM

KEY PLAYERS

RORY SLOANE: The Adelaide on-baller is a barometer to his side, rated No. 1 in the comp for total tackles this season and 11th for average clearances. Sloane has also had his best season in front of goal, nailing 18 majors this season. Has also drawn 60 free kicks this year.

EDDIE BETTS: The superstar small forward has kicked three or more goals 10 times this season and the Crows have only lost once when that has happened. If he gets off the leash, Adelaide simply wins.

ADELAIDE

PLAYING STYLE An extremely versatile line-up gives Adelaide the flexibility to play a number of ways, but their best football is based on winning the stoppages and dominating contested possessions. The Crows rank No. 2 and No. 1 in each of those categories respectively, helped by Sam Jacobs who has elite hitout numbers, and also rank No. 2 in tackles. But when out in space, the Crows love run-and-gun rebound football — their kicking a big improvement this year.

SCORING CAPACITY The Crows boast the most dynamic forward line in the competition, with two genuine tall forwards in Taylor Walker (52 goals) and Josh Jenkins (45) and two electric small forwards in Eddie Betts (54) and Charlie Cameron (28). But it’s Tom Lynch (31) who is most important, playing as a third tall who can link defence to the Crows’ forward line. Adelaide averages 16 goals a game this season, nearly three more than Richmond (13.1).

DEFENSIVE SIDE Well balanced defence with Daniel Talia and Kyle Hartigan capable tall defenders with Jake Lever able to float through as an intercept marker. Rory Laird and Paul Seedsman can play as high-possession running halfbacks. Jake Kelly can play tall and small.

KEY PLAYERS

DUSTIN MARTIN: It goes without saying, the 2017 Brownlow medallist has arguably had the best season ever by an individual. Of 22 home-and-away games this season, Martin was rated best-on-ground in half of those. Has also kicked 35 goals and is near unstoppable one-on-one deep inside forward 50.

DAN RIOLI: He’s an X-factor small forward who, like his counterpart Eddie Betts, can create something out of nothing. Kicked four crucial goals in last week’s prelim.

RICHMOND

PLAYING STYLE

You don’t read anything about Richmond’s game style without seeing the words ‘mosquito fleet’. They play a fast, run-and-handball brand based on high-risk, high-reward, but also have a keen focus on elite tackling pressure. It was most evident in the Tigers’s two finals against Geelong and GWS, swarming in numbers on the opposition ball carrier. Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia have added a touch of class to the Tigers brigade.

SCORING CAPACITY

With Jack Riewoldt (51 goals) headlining the Tigers’ forward line, it’s the small forwards around him that will keep Adelaide’s defence guessing. Dan Butler (29), Daniel Rioli (25) and Jason Castagna (25) have had strong seasons in front of goal, while the Tigers also rotate their mids through the forward line. Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin has booted 35 goals, while Josh Caddy (20) and Trent Cotchin (17) also prove dangerous when resting deep inside 50.

DEFENSIVE SIDE All-Australian captain and fullback Alex Rance will marshall the Tigers’ backline, while Dylan Grimes and David Astbury have been the unheralded heroes. Experienced halfback Bachar Houli knows when to defend or attack, while Brandon Ellis and Nick Vlastuin have also improved this season.