Friday‘s AFL Preliminary Final 2017 match is between Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats. The opening bounce is set to commence at 19:50 local time with the game to be played at Adelaide Oval. The home team Adelaide Crows are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Adelaide Crows and Geelong Cats.
When: 19:50 | Friday 22/9/2017
Where: Adelaide Oval
Watch: Channel 7, Fox Footy or ? Watch Online for FREE HERE on your? or ?.
Preview:
The Crows will have played one game in 26 days by the time Friday’s match kicks off, after they earned a weekend off with a comfortable 36-point qualifying final win over Greater Western Sydney. The Cats tuned up for their ninth preliminary final in the past 14 years with a 59-point belting of Sydney. Don Pyke took a novel approach to the long break, taking his men to the Gold Coast for a short training camp to freshen up away from the glare of the Adelaide media. The Crows have regained star midfielder Rory Sloane (appendix) for the clash but lost rebounding defender Brodie Smith to a serious knee injury and strong-marking forward Mitch McGovern to a hamstring strain suffered at training. Veteran tall Andy Otten earned a recall to replace McGovern. Geelong made two unforced changes with Nakia Cockatoo and Tom Lonergan replacing Zach Guthrie and James Parsons.
Key: Chris Scott’s decision to start Patrick Dangerfield in the goal square against the Swans proved a master stroke. The Brownlow medallist kicked four first-half goals and sent Sydney’s back line into disarray. The Crows won’t be surprised by the tactic but how Scott uses his superstar will be pivotal.
Tip: Crows by 10 points
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $30 BET with $180 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Adelaide Crows at $1.44
Value BET: First Goal Scorer – Josh Jenkins at $10.00
More Info:
Head to head: Adelaide 18 Geelong 23
Last clash: Round 18, 2017 – Crows 13.13 (91) bt Cats 10.10 (70) at Adelaide Oval
Finals Head to head: Adelaide 1 Geelong 0
Last final: 1997 Semi-final – Crows 11.10 (76) bt Cats 9.14 (68) at Football Park
Tab Sportsbet odds: Crows $1.42 Cats $3.00
William Hill: Crows $1.40 Cats $3.00
Teams:
CROWS 
B: R.Laird, D.Talia, J.Lever
HB: L.Brown, K.Hartigan, J.Kelly
C: R.Atkins, R.Sloane, D.Mackay
HF: R.Douglas, T.Walker, C.Cameron
F: T.Lynch, J.Jenkins, E.Betts
FOLL: S.Jacobs, B.Crouch, M.Crouch
I/C: R.Knight, P.Seedsman, H.Greenwood, A.Otten
EMG: W.Milera, A.Keath, R.O’Brien
IN: A.Otten, R.Sloane
OUT: B.Smith (Knee), M.McGovern (Hamstring)
CATS 
B: T.Stewart, T.Lonergan, Z.Tuohy
HB: A.Mackie, L.Henderson, J.Bews
C: M.Duncan, J.Selwood, M.Blicavs
HF: S.Motlop, H.Taylor, D.Lang
F: D.Menzel, P.Dangerfield, T.Hawkins
FOLL: Z.Smith, S.Menegola, S.Selwood
I/C: N.Cockatoo, J.Kolodjashnij, B.Parfitt, R.Stanley
EMG: Z.Guthrie, J.Murdoch, J.Parsons
IN: T.Lonergan, N.Cockatoo
OUT: J.Parsons (omitted), Z.Guthrie (omitted)
AFL News:
AFL pressure masters Richmond should expect to have plenty of heat coming in their direction in Saturday’s preliminary final, according to Greater Western Sydney wingman Tom Scully.
The Tigers’ relentless full-ground pressure has been a key factor in their surge into the last four.
GWS experienced it first hand at a wet MCG back in July, when they were monstered at the contest in the middle quarters and held to 45 points, their lowest score of the campaign.
“Of course we’ve spoken about it, there’s no doubt they probably have set the benchmark for pressure all over the field,” Scully told AAP.
“We know that’s coming, but we’re really confident as well that we can apply some really good pressure to them.
“Obviously part of that is absorbing pressure and being able to handle it.”
The Giants’ cause has been helped by the late-season return from injury of two of their renowned hard nuts, Stephen Coniglio and Jacob Hopper.
With Lachie Whitfield returning to the side in round eight following a six-month drugs ban, GWS now have the midfield artillery they lacked earlier in their campaign.
“It’s been really important to get those guys back, to have a full midfield now,” Scully said.
‘”It helps our depth in our midfield, it helps our flexibility, guys are able to play a number of different roles.
‘We’re not too reliant on a few guys going through that midfield, we’ve got guys now that can roll forward and roll back.”
The former Melbourne No.1 draft pick has played more MCG games than any of his GWS teammates except ex-Tiger Brett Deledio.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been involved in such a big game,” Scully said.
“I’ve played in a few Queen’s Birthday games for Melbourne against Collingwood which were quite large crowds, but nothing quite like finals footy.”