806 points scored in six weeks. Six consecutive wins. A percentage of 160.9.
Those are some of the numbers behind an Adelaide side which has taken all before it to start the season, and what North Melbourne will be facing on Saturday at Blundstone Arena.
Considering parts of the Crows’ first choice forward line – Taylor Walker (one game), Josh Jenkins (three games), Mitch McGovern (three games) – have already missed parts of 2017, their ability to hit the scoreboard looks even more impressive.
The goals have been coming from multiple targets. Even though Eddie Betts (20 goals) and Walker (18 goals) understandably lead the way, the likes of Rory Sloane (8), Charlie Cameron (8), Rory Atkins (7) have all spent time in the midfield, while still contributing to the Crows’ scoring power.
Only one side has ever managed to score more heavily over a six-week period; coincidentally it was the Kangaroos, back in 1993.
The local conditions at Blundstone Arena tend to give the game a different feel to most, and could loom as the wildcard on Saturday.
Since the ground’s redevelopment, games in the last two seasons have tended to have a relatively strong wind favouring one end of the ground.
It’s added an extra layer of strategy to matches, with the most extreme example being North’s clash against Melbourne in 2016.
On that day, 30 of the 41 goals were kicked to one end with quarters of eight, nine, seven and six.
If similar conditions present on Saturday, North’s dilemma will be on how to approach the two quarters when it’s against the wind.
In Round 3 against Greater Western Sydney, the Roos were pinned extremely deep in the second quarter, conceding inside 50 after inside 50 – 29 of them for the term.
Then in the final term, North was able to even up the count – 17-13 the way of the Giants – when it attempted to control possession more by kicking short.
To do the same against the Crows, North will first have to win the contested ball as often as possible; no easy feat considering the ladder leader’s improvement in the area.
