Battle for Crows' gold jacket a race between three

ADELAIDE Crows football manager Phil Harper says he expects the battle for the gold jacket to be close.

photo

CROWS football manager Phil Harper says he expects it to be close.

So close in fact that Adelaide's 23rd club champion award might not be decided until the final round against West Coast.

Midfielders Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane and 2010 winner Richard Douglas are the favourites to tonight fight it out for the club's prized gold jacket at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Young defender Luke Brown has picked Douglas to win from the other pair, describing his year as "fantastic''.

MORE: DOUGLAS COULD JOIN EXCLUSIVE COMPANY

But will the tags he copped late in the season cost him vital votes?

"I think it will be out of Danger, Sloaney and Dougy,'' Brown said.

"Dougy had a couple of tough weeks with taggers at the end (of the season) but he's my pick, he had a fantastic year.

"And (Daniel) Talia had a great year as well.''

While Brown favours Douglas, the AFL's statistical king, Champion Data, has tipped Dangerfield to pip Sloane and Douglas in the closest Crows' club champion finish of all-time.

Renowned for its ability to pick best-and-fairest winners, Champion's rankings - like club champion voting - reward consistency and durability.

It has awarded Dangerfield 2258 rankings points this season - 11 more than Sloane and 15 more than Douglas.

No other club has such tight voting.

CAPEL: CROWS MUST CHASE EDDIE BETTS

Champion's voting suggests veteran on-baller Scott Thompson could tonight push for a third consecutive Crows club champion award. He has compiled 2147 rankings points.

Key defender Talia ranked 14th in total points at Adelaide with 1239 but will feature more highly in best-and-fairest voting because of his ability to shut down opposition forwards.

But the top three in Champion's voting appear certain to fight it out in what looms as a thrilling contest.

Dangerfield and Douglas are the two Crows shortlisted for this year's All-Australian team while Sloane has had a standout year.

Thompson led Adelaide in disposals with 543 followed by Douglas (501), Sloane (494) and Dangerfield (456).

Dangerfield was the leader in contested possessions (274) while Douglas had more inside-50s (117) than any teammate.

Dangerfield kicked more goals (31) than any of the leading contenders but Douglas had the most goal assists (21).

Adelaide's coaches award combined votes on a 0-8 score in each game.

A player will be awarded 1-2 votes for winning or breaking even in his position and contributing; 3-4 votes for winning his position and having an impact on the game; 5-6 for winning his position and having a significant impact; and 7-8 votes for winning his position and having a major impact.

Working in Douglas's favour is that he played all 22 games. Sloane missed one match with an eye injury and Dangerfield two with a sprained AC joint.

Champion has captain Travis Boak narrowly leading Port Adelaide's best-and-fairest award with 2239 votes ahead of four-times club champion Kane Cornes (2212) and second-year sensation Chad Wingard (2169).

Finals will also count in the Power's voting. Its club champion night will be held on October 1.

Apart from Dangerfield, Champion has selected several other first-time winners - Andrew Walker at Carlton, Brendon Goddard (Essendon), Michael Barlow (Fremantle), Todd Golstein (North Melbourne), Jack Steven (St Kilda) and Will Minson (Bulldogs).

###