Adelaide has usurped Collingwood atop the ladder in recent weeks, riding a seven-match winning streak, and claiming 10 of their last 11 matches, since they last faced the Magpies in Round 10.
Conversely, Collingwood have lost four of their last five matches in alarming fashion, sliding back to the peloton, after being 10 points clear atop the ladder at the conclusion of Round 16.
Craig McRae's men are staring down the barrel of an all-time pre-finals fadeout, with letting the coveted finals double chance slip a very real possibility, should they fail to right the ship against a side whose measure they've had for seven years.
The Magpies have an excellent record over the Crows, and at Adelaide Oval, and will be invoking such history in the lead up to the clash. The last time the Pies failed to beat the Crows was the infamous 2017 draw, and the Pies are a perfect 10 wins from 10 matches since, including six wins from six matches at the Adelaide Oval.
Collingwood will also take solace from a league-best winning percentage at the venue, winning 71 per cent of their matches at the ground, while also being the only side yet to concede 100 points in a match at the picturesque stadium - a quirk in serious danger against Matthew Nicks' high-octane offence.
The recent rivalry is characterised by controversial and close results - five of those 10 straight wins have been single-digit margins for the Pies, and the most recent clash was also under a two-goal margin.
Individual excellence is also a feature of recent meetings, begging the question: Who is primed to influence Saturday night's blockbuster affair?
The Magpies' superstar arrived in emphatic fashion with 40 touches and three goals in just his 18th game, against the Crows, in July of 2022. He has tormented the side since, averaging over nine clearances per game in the last three meetings, since moving into midfield on a full-time basis. Memorably, he posted 41 disposals, with 22 contested possessions, 14 clearances and seven score involvements in last year's only meeting, and will need similar production this weekend, should the Pies have any chance of causing the upset.
Daicos is the only man ahead of Dawson in Brownlow favouritism, but has seen his impact stymied over the last fortnight, in losses to Brisbane and Hawthorn. Prior to these matches, however, he enjoyed a two-week stretch of dominance, exploding for averages of 42 disposals, two goals and six clearances per game against Fremantle and Richmond.
In 2025, the fourth-year running machine is ranked elite by AFL benchmarking for disposals, clearances, inside 50s, goal assists, and score involvements - his eight per game, a career best watermark in that metric.
The little champ rarely strings together three lacklustre performances in a row. The Crows need to be wary of the wounded Magpie and the quietened Daicos.
