ADELAIDE, May 3, 2025 — The Adelaide Crows and Carlton Blues are gearing up to clash at Adelaide Oval this afternoon, a Round 8 AFL matchup that’s got fans on edge and analysts scribbling notes. This isn’t just another game; it’s a chance for both teams to solidify their ladder spots in a season already brimming with surprises. With the first bounce set for 3:45 p.m. local time, the stakes are clear: Adelaide’s hunting a fifth win to keep their finals hopes humming, while Carlton’s desperate to snap a historical hoodoo at this venue.
The Crows, sitting at 4-3, have shown flashes of brilliance but stumbled in recent weeks. Their last meeting with Carlton, back on April 16, 2024, was a nail-biter—a 100-98 victory that saw Adelaide edge out the Blues in a frantic final quarter. That game, played in front of a roaring 47,000-strong crowd, proved Adelaide’s knack for handling pressure against this opponent. Today, they’ve named an unchanged lineup from their preliminary squad, with Sam Berry slotted as the substitute. No last-minute tweaks, just a team ready to lean on their home-ground edge.
Carlton, meanwhile, is a team under scrutiny. With a 4-3 record, they’re teetering on the cusp of the top eight but have never beaten Adelaide at this ground. That’s a stat that stings, and one the Blues are hell-bent on erasing. Their lineup also stays steady, with Lachie Cowan named as substitute. The Blues’ camp has been tight-lipped, but their focus is clear: control the midfield and avoid the defensive lapses that cost them last year’s encounter.
Both sides know what’s at play. A win for Adelaide could cement their spot in the finals conversation, while Carlton’s chasing not just points but momentum to climb as high as sixth with the right results elsewhere. The weather’s set to cooperate—clear skies, a mild 22°C—meaning no excuses for sloppy play. Expect a packed Adelaide Oval, with ticket sales already nudging record territory for this fixture.
The stage is set, the teams are locked in, and the crowd’s ready to roar. Adelaide’s got history on their side, but Carlton’s got hunger. By nightfall, one team will walk away with the points—and maybe a new chapter in this growing rivalry.