Back for another year, the SEN.com.au team gives you an insight into how every game will play out across the weekend.
Labelling something a ‘certainty’ in any sport is fraught with danger.
But we’ll attempt to find some anyway.
Here is what we consider certainties for the Round 5 Friday night clash between Adelaide and Essendon.
Adelaide
Taylor Walker to kick 2+ goals
Taylor Walker looked back against Carlton last week.
It was easily the best performance of 2024 which yielded four goals from 14 touches and 10 marks.
Against Essendon in recent times, ‘Tex’ has played fairly well, kicking 8.4 in his last three outings. Career-wise, he averages 2.75 goals per game across 12 against the Dons.
It’s a massive night for the Crows, who need to back up last week’s win over the Bulldogs, and Walker is the man for massive occasions.
We’re backing him to kick at least two goals at the Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
Jake Soligo to have 20+ disposals
Jake Soligo has been given an extended run in the midfield and he has repaid the faith in the last few weeks.
In his last three outings from Round 4 onwards, the 21-year-old has had 21, 27 and 27 disposals as one of his side’s very best players.
With Matt Crouch (suspension) out of the side the responsibilities will not lessen for Soligo and we feel he’ll take it on board and again deliver for Matthew Nicks.
He’s averaging a career-high 19.6 touches per game in 2024 but we’re confident he’ll bypass the 20-touch mark on Friday night.
Andrew Slevison
Essendon
Zach Merrett 25+ disposals
Essendon captain Zach Merrett has led from the front in 2024.
The on-ball star is averaging 31 disposals a game so far this campaign and is yet to have less than 27 touches in any appearance so far.
He also had a whopping 39 touches the last time he played Adelaide as he put the side on his back in an impressive victory in Round 17 last year.
Simply put, he should be easily cruising past the 25-touch marker.
You could even back him in for 30 given his current prolific form.
Harrison Jones to kick a goal
Adelaide’s big concern in 2024 is their key defence and they’re now without Jordon Butts who went down with a hamstring in Saturday’s win over Carlton.
While they still have some decent shoulders back there including Mark Keane and Josh Worrell, Essendon won’t be afraid to kick the ball high and long inside 50.
With Peter Wright still out with suspension, their main target up forward from an aerial point of view will be Harrison Jones.
Jones kicked two goals to go with six marks in the Round 5 win over the Bulldogs and he’ll hope to have a similar impact in this one.
He should finish at least one of his opportunities on Friday night.
Lachlan Geleit
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