Adelaide have been breathtaking to watch at times in 2016, and after their round 23 disappointment against West Coast they bounced back impressively with a 62-point elimination final win over North Melbourne. But now the more difficult task of playing Sydney away lies ahead. We look at five key questions for Don Pyke's side ahead of Saturday night's SCG semi-final.
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1. Can their explosive forward line get the better of Sydney's stingy defence?
There is probably no forward combination in the AFL as fearsome as that of the Crows. With 14 goals between them on the weekend, Eddie Betts, Tom Lynch, Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins were far too strong for a tiring North outfit. But as has been the case for well over a decade, the Swans are a defensive juggernaut. While Jeremy Cameron got the better of Dane Rampe on Saturday, Greater Western Sydney were still restricted to just 12 goals. Sydney conceded the fewest points of any club during the home and away rounds, while the Crows racked up more points than their 17 rivals. It is a tantalising prospect that awaits.
2. Is their midfield deep enough to match the Swans?
Aside from their tight defence, Sydney's other major strength is their midfield. Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery all featured in the All-Australian team, and that's before you consider Tom Mitchell, Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh. Rory Sloane may be closing in on superstardom, but their next tier featuring Scott Thompson, David Mackay., Richard Douglas, Matt Crouch and Brad Crouch isn't quite as intimidating. Will they be able to match it with the Swans' guns?
3. Will the venue be a major factor?
The SCG has long been a bogey ground for many clubs, but Adelaide is not one of them. Indeed, the Crows have the best win percentage of any club at the venue - including the Swans - having won 11 of their 17 matches there. But the Swans won nine of their 11 matches at the ground, and thrashed Adelaide at their last SCG meeting in 2015. Still the Crows can perhaps take inspiration from the fact they are the only club to have beaten Sydney in an SCG final, having done so in a 1998 semi, coincidentally also on Saturday night.
4. Will Buddy again prove their finals foil?
Adelaide fans with long memories will remember Lance Franklin's maiden finals appearance - a match-winning seven-goal haul for Hawthorn in the 2007 elimination final at Docklands. Much has changed since then - including the club for which Franklin plays - but he remains a major threat. He is again likely to be match up against fellow 2016 All-Australian Daniel Talia. Franklin kicked four on the star Crows backman when the sides met earlier in the year.
5. How will they line up?
Adelaide have had a charmed run with injuries, and seem unlikely to make wholesale change after easily accounting for North Melbourne at the weekend, especially after Kyle Hartigan escaped suspension for tripping North's Lindsay Thomas.
