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The Crows haven\u2019t beaten the Magpies at the MCG since 2014, and overall have won just one game in their past 13 attempts against the Victorian juggernaut. <\/p>\n
Further, they\u2019ve lost 11 of their past 13 MCG fixtures. <\/p>\n
After finishing as minor premiers last season, Adelaide kicks off a season where it hopes to make a deep September run as strong contenders – having added two-time premiership utility Cal Ah Chee to its starting mix. <\/p>\n
But after an uninspiring finals exit last September, triple Richmond flag-winning forward Jack Riewoldt believes the heat on the Crows is high as they commence their 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdelaide is under immense pressure, and I have no doubt that in Adelaide they are under even more pressure to find where they are at,\u201d Riewoldt told Foxfooty.com.au in the lead-up to Round 1 Super Saturday. <\/p>\n
\u201cStraight sets exit in the finals last year – did they have a soft draw? Is that why they finished first? So many questions to be answered internally, and externally as well, because we\u2019re all watching. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs that (bowing out in straight sets) the anomaly, or is this a side that maybe can\u2019t stand the heat of finals – does the game plan stand up in finals? Does the selection stand up in finals? <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be a fascinating watch over the year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott sees positives despite drubbing | 10:49<\/p>\n
The Crows have added Ah Chee and ex-Kangaroos forward Finnbar Maley, as well as draftees Mitch Marsh and Archie Ludowyke, since Hawthorn ended their 2025 season in a semi-final. <\/p>\n
But there will be talk throughout the year as to whether that was enough significant change to the club\u2019s list between seasons. <\/p>\n
And after its failed trade pursuit of now-Gold Coast hybrid Christian Petracca, Matthew Nicks and company will look inward this year for more midfield answers – particularly with Dan Curtin out for the early stages. <\/p>\n
\u201cProbably not (enough change), to be honest, and I think that Adelaide may admit that as well, that they may be batting a midfielder short – a dynamic midfielder,\u201d Riewoldt said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have no doubt they would have loved to have got someone like a Petracca to their footy club \u2026 but can they reinvent someone to run through that midfield and be the running mate to Izak Rankine?<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it (Josh) Rachele – who\u2019s \u2026 not a bona fide AFL player yet, for mine. He\u2019s still too flighty, and that will be the thing for him – can he become a consistent AFL player, where we know which (version) we\u2019re getting, three out of four weeks?<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause he\u2019s the name that many Adelaide people think will be able to roll through the middle part of the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watch Collingwood vs. Adelaide LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n Riewoldt added of the midfield\u2019s profile: \u201cYou look at (Jake) Soligo and (Sam) Berry, and even Jordan Dawson to an extent – very one-paced. <\/p>\n \u201cDawson is obviously a line-breaker through skill, so they need a new face through there to partner with Izak Rankine, to make sure that they\u2019re a dynamic enough midfield to be a contender.\u201d<\/p>\n Mitchell not getting carried away | 05:21<\/p>\n As for the Magpies, who\u2019ve been hard to get a good gauge of in the preseason despite a preliminary final berth last year, more than a few are tipping a slide down the ladder. <\/p>\n Collingwood remains the oldest and most experienced side in the competition, with 10 of their starters now 30 or older – but despite a shaky stretch at the back end of last season, there hasn\u2019t been much reason to doubt Craig McRae\u2019s outfit. <\/p>\n The Pies opened their 2026 account with a gritty, low-scoring 12-point win over St Kilda – but the game style, as well as available personnel, is what leaves scope for scepticism as they prepare to engage in battle with the Crows. <\/p>\n \u201cI think it was a little bit of an uninspiring game (against the Saints)\u2026 but until we see Collingwood against those highly offensively-slanted sides, does their game plan stand up?\u201d Riewoldt posed. <\/p>\n \u201cThe early part of the season is always about answering questions about where a side actually does sit \u2026 I will be fascinated to see how Collingwood stands up against what I think will be a pretty aggressive Adelaide. <\/p>\n \u201cCollingwood has got a myriad of injuries down back \u2026 Billy Frampton and a few down there have got their work cut out for them.\u201d<\/p>\n