Adelaide Crows vs Geelong Cats Tips - Cats too classy for Crows in Round 13 opener
The Adelaide Crows face the formidable Geelong Cats in Round 13 of the 2026 AFL season. Despite a solid defensive setup and competitive performances, the Crows have struggled against top-tier opponents and enter without key player Izak Rankine. Geelong, coming off a narrow loss but boasting a stellar record at Adelaide Oval, are tipped to win through the stellar form of Jeremy Cameron and Bailey Smith. The Cats' midfield depth and reliable scoring give them the edge over an Adelaide side seeking a defining win against elite competition.
- Geelong have won 5 of their last 6 at Adelaide Oval.
- Jeremy Cameron & Bailey Smith in superb form power the Cats.
- Adelaide yet to beat a team above them in 2026.
2026 Adelaide Crows vs Geelong Cats Preview
- 2026 Adelaide Crows vs Geelong Cats Preview
- Head to Head
- Adelaide Crows Form Analysis
- Adelaide Crows Team News
- Geelong Cats Form Analysis
- Geelong Cats Team News
Geelong will bounce back from a narrow loss to Carlton in Round 12 with a win on the road against the Adelaide Crows.
The Cats have established themselves as one of the benchmark sides in the competition and shape as a difficult matchup for an Adelaide side that is still searching for a signature victory against the competition's top teams. The Crows head in with fresh legs after the bye in Round 12. They went down to Hawthorn the week prior by nine points in Launceston.
While the Crows have been competitive in most of their losses this season, they have yet to defeat a side above them on the ladder and face another significant challenge against a Geelong outfit that has won five of their past six matches against Adelaide.
Adelaide's defence has been a strength in 2026, but questions remain over its ability to generate enough scoreboard pressure against the stronger sides in the competition. The Crows rank around the middle of the competition for scoring and will be without Izak Rankine, while much of the goalscoring burden falls on Josh Rachele and an ageing Taylor Walker if he returns.
They have regularly put themselves in winning positions against quality opposition but have struggled to sustain four-quarter performances and capitalise on key moments.
Geelong possess far more proven avenues to goal and their midfield depth should prove decisive in the Round 13 opener. Jeremy Cameron is in outstanding form, while Bailey Smith continues to drive the Cats through the middle and provides consistent supply going forward. The Cats also have an excellent recent record at Adelaide Oval, winning five of their past six at the venue, and their experience in close games gives them an edge against an Adelaide side that is 2-4 in matches decided by less than 10 points this season.
The Cats have responded strongly to setbacks throughout 2026 and are yet to lose consecutive matches. Against a Crows outfit still trying to prove it can match the competition's elite, Geelong look well placed to continue their dominance in this fixture and secure an important away victory.
- Geelong have won five of their past six at the Adelaide Oval.
- Jeremy Cameron has booted 3+ goals in seven of his past eight matches.
- The Crows are yet to defeat a side above them on the ladder in 2026.
- Bailey Smith has averaged 37 disposals in his past three matches against the Crows.
Head to Head
Geelong have won their past six matches against Adelaide and the two sides have already met in 2026 back in Round 3 when it was the Cats by eight points at GMHBA Stadium. The past four wins have been by less than 20 points, with two coming at Adelaide Oval.
Standout player performances in the recent head-to-heads have come from:
- Taylor Walker (Crows) – 14 goals in his past five matches against Geelong
- Jeremy Cameron (Cats) – 19 goals in his past five against the Crows
- Bailey Smith (Cats) – averages 37 disposals in his past three against Adelaide
- Jordan Dawson (Crows) – 25+ disposals in four of his past five against Geelong
Adelaide Crows Form Analysis
Adelaide have a 6-5 win-loss record and have won three of their past four matches but went down in their most recent outing to Hawthorn by nine points. They are yet to defeat sides above them on the ladder in 2026, losing to Fremantle, Geelong and Hawthorn, but it is worth noting that those three losses have been by less than 10 points. Six of their matches have been decided by less than 10 points and they are 2-4 in these battles.
Wayne Milera comes off a 32-disposal game, while five other Crows had more than 25, including Josh Worrell, Rory Laird and Jordan Dawson. Dawson has had 25+ in four of his past six and had 24 and 23 in the other two. Laird has had 25+ in five of his past six.
The Crows have a solid defence and rank fifth for fewest points conceded this year but are mid-range for goals scored. Josh Rachele leads their goalkicking table with 18 goals from 11 matches and has kicked 2+ in three of his past four.
Adelaide Crows Team News
Izak Rankine will be sidelined with a calf injury that was sustained against Hawthorn, while scans cleared Callum Ah Chee of a thumb fracture and he is a chance to remain in the side. Taylor Walker lined up in the SANFL and kicked five goals, while Billy Dowling and Chayce Jones are others that will be considered at selection.
Geelong Cats Form Analysis
Geelong went down to Carlton by four points in Round 12 but remain in the top four with an 8-4 win-loss record. They are yet to lose two in a row in 2026 and won four matches heading into last week, with those victories coming at an average margin of 43 points.
The Cats feature in the top five of the competition for disposals per game and scoring, and it is Bailey Smith and Jeremy Cameron that are the standouts in those areas.
Smith had another 35 disposals against Carlton to make it 30+ in 10 of his past 11, while Cameron kicked four goals. He has booted 3+ in seven of his past eight, kicking 30 goals in that period.
With the exception of Gather Round, Geelong have been interstate on three occasions in 2026 for one win and two losses. They went down to Port Adelaide in their previous match at Adelaide Oval by 30 points but have won five of their past six at the venue.
Geelong Cats Team News
Jack Martin was managed out of the match against Carlton and is expected to come back in. Lawson Humphries sustained a leg injury and will be assessed during the week.
Verdict
Geelong to win with Cameron and Smith to continue strong form
Geelong Cats
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