<p>Crows fans, you've been waiting — and maybe even whining — for nights like this… well, here it is.</p> <p>A genuine blockbuster at Adelaide Oval, with ladder-leaders Adelaide hosting a Collingwood side in crisis mode. Buckle up.</p> <p>This isn’t just any version of the Pies rolling into town — it’s a vulnerable, under-siege outfit coming off their worst loss of the year.</p> <p>The 64-point hammering at the hands of Hawthorn was their fourth defeat in five games, and after sitting comfortably ahead of the pack for much of the season, the Pies are suddenly in danger of dropping out of the top four altogether — a scenario that felt unthinkable only weeks ago.</p> <p>All season, the narrative around Collingwood was about system over stars — a veteran-heavy list that wouldn’t have to rely on its older bodies. But that theory is under serious stress now, especially with key players missing.</p> <p>Their forward pressure has taken a major hit without Bobby Hill and Beau McCreery, and their rock-solid defence has looked shaky without Jeremy Howe to settle things down.</p> <p>As for the Crows — they nearly blew it last week.</p> <p>Faced with what would’ve been a catastrophic upset loss to West Coast, they clawed their way back in the second half thanks to Izak Rankine turning it on, and a gutsy effort from Riley Thilthorpe, who overcame injury concerns to help drag them over the line.</p> <p>Finals are now officially locked in for the first time since that 2017 Grand Final run. But with two games to go, the Crows are eyeing a top-two finish — and if they knock off the Pies here, they’ll also secure the minor premiership.<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p>Not bad for a team that finished 15th last year.</p> <p>At selection, the Crows could make just a couple of changes. James Peatling is likely to return after missing last week with a corked quad, and Tex Walker should be back after a rest.</p> <p>But they’ll be without Rory Laird, who failed to overturn a one-match suspension. Could that open the door for another look at Sid Draper, who’s been tearing it up in the SANFL (again)?</p> <p>For the Pies, Jeremy Howe is out after a heavy concussion last week, and there’ll be no risks taken there.</p> <p>They’re hoping to regain key forwards Bobby Hill and Beau McCreery — both need to pass fitness tests, but things are looking promising.</p> <p>And there’s even talk Mason Cox could be recalled to help deal with Adelaide’s tall, dangerous forward line — something Collingwood's depleted defence will be seriously tested by.</p> <p>This one’s got fireworks written all over it.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Crows vs Pies prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide vs Collingwood Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Adelaide Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Josh Worrell, Nick Murray, Hugh Bond</p> <p>HB: Wayne Milera, Mark Keane, Mitch Hinge</p> <p>C: Isaac Cumming, Jordan Dawson, Dan Curtin</p> <p>HF: Ben Keays, Riley Thilthorpe, Izak Rankine</p> <p>F: Alex Neal-Bullen, Darcy Fogarty, Taylor Walker</p> <p>Foll: Reilly O’Brien, Sam Berry, Jake Soligo</p> <p>Int: Zak Taylor, James Peatling, Luke Pedlar, Chayce Jones, Sid Draper</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Collingwood Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, Isaac Quaynor</p> <p>HB: Dan Houston, Billy Frampton, Josh Daicos</p> <p>C: Steele Sidebottom, Pat Lipinski, Jack Crisp</p> <p>HF: Bobby Hill, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey</p> <p>F: Bobby Hill, Dan McStay, Tim Membrey</p> <p>Foll: Darcy Cameron, Nick Daicos, Scott Pendlebury</p> <p>Int: Harry Perryman, Lachie Schultz, Ned Long, Tom Mitchell, Jamie Elliott</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide vs Collingwood Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Crows have done plenty of impressive things this year, but one thing they haven’t done yet, and haven’t done for a while, is beat Collingwood.</p> <p>The Pies have recorded 10 wins in a row against the Crows, and it stretches to 11 if you include the drawn game at the MCG preceding the Pies' winning run.</p> <p>In the last five games between these two sides, the margin hasn’t exceeded 10 points, so we are guaranteed some edge-of-your-seat stuff here.</p> <p>Additionally, the Pies adore Adelaide Oval. They have won their past 10 matches at the venue. So if there was one ground that the Pies would have loved to come to on a galvanising away trip, this is the one.</p> <p>Both these sides are ranked one and two for defensive profiles, having been strong all year, but the Pies are wavering a little bit.&nbsp;</p> <p>Will the Crows try to run a tag on Nick Daicos? And if they do, which Collingwood midfielder will stand up to help him because it’s looking a little big ‘Nick or bust’ at the moment.</p> <p>There’s another little storyline… This one could decide the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-brownlow-medal">Brownlow Medal</a> with the direction of the three votes.</p> <p>History is against the Crows here, but we reckon they prove they’re absolutely the real deal here and take down the Pies.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-collingwood-9480907">Crows</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>He’s refreshed and raring to finish the season strongly. Taylor Walker has never been shy about throwing his weight around on the big stage. Even he would be loud enough to say he owes one to Collingwood. Probably just because.&nbsp;</p> <p>Due back in the side this week, we’re backing him to land the first one here and get the crowd going.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-collingwood-9480907">Taylor Walker</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Collingwood’s collective shocker last week saw only one player record over 25 disposals.&nbsp;</p> <p>Longer break in their back pocket, coming back to a ground they love with a chance to get away as a group and re-align, we’re looking at a Daicos special here.&nbsp;</p> <p>A Josh Daicos special to be exact.</p> <p>We’re tipping an end to the Mitchell &amp; Long in the same team experiment, which will open the door for more midfield time for Josh this week. And that should see him top the disposal count.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-collingwood-9480907">Josh Daicos 30+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs Collingwood Magpies Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, August 16th, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 7:35 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Adelaide Oval, Adelaide</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>