Stats and Facts: Adelaide
NMFC.com.au presents some interesting stats and facts relating to the two teams.
• North Melbourne is on a three-game winning streak against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.
The winning streak has come after North lost its first three against the Crows at the venue. The average winning margin in the victories has been just under five goals.
North's last loss at Etihad against Adelaide was in Round 7, 2006.
• The last two coaches for North have had wildly differing fortunes against Adelaide.
Brad Scott is yet to lose against Adelaide, winning three straight. Conversely, Dean Laidley was unable to get the points against Neil Craig’s team, losing eight consecutive games.
• If North wins on Sunday, it would be its second longest winning streak over Adelaide.
The current stretch stands at three, with the longest in club history being five from Round 5, 1996 to Round 21, 1998.
• North’s record winning margin over Adelaide was at a ground no longer used for AFL football.
It was an 80-point victory at Visy Park in Round 12, 1994. Wayne Carey and Darren Crocker kicked four goals each while Wayne Schwass registered 26 disposals and 2 goals to earn the three Brownlow votes.
• North’s highest ever score against Adelaide came in its premiership year of 1996.
The Kangaroos scored 23.14.152, yet were only leading by two points at three quarter time. An eight goal to two final term proved the difference. Carey kicked five goals and Corey McKernan four.
• Leigh Adams’ only three-vote Brownlow performance was against Adelaide in Round 13, 2012.
The number 13 was everywhere at Etihad Stadium. He kicked 3 goals and had 31 possessions, 8 inside 50’s and 6 clearances. North won by 32 points.
• This will be the fourth consecutive match between the two sides at Etihad Stadium.
Later in the season North will travel to AAMI Stadium to face the Crows for the first time since 2009. Coincidentally the last outing between the teams interstate was Dean Laidley’s final game as coach.
• No North player has ever kicked more than six goals against Adelaide.
Four Kangaroos have kicked six – Leigh Brown (Round 1, 2004), Wayne Carey (Round 9, 2000), Craig Sholl (Round 7, 1999) and John Longmire (Round 9, 1991)
• North has a slight edge in the overall head-to-head, leading 17-16 after 33 matches.
The Kangaroos’ advantage comes from the seven games at the MCG. They have only lost one of those meetings.
Written with assistance from Ange Cristoforo