Melbourne might have a poor record in Adelaide – no wins since 2001 – but they have two advantages this Saturday.

One is ex-Crow Bernie Vince in their side and the other is that the Demons played on Adelaide Oval before the Crows did.

The first AFL game at Adelaide Oval was played in round 24, 2011 just before the bulldozers moved in.

Melbourne lost to Port Adelaide by eight points.

In the period since, Melbourne has endured tanking allegations, a couple of years of thrashings and is in a re-build phase under new coach Paul Roos.

Adelaide has had its own problems this season, starting with a poor three game losing streak and then re-settling with much needed wins against St Kilda, GWS and the Western Bulldogs.

That’s hardly a good form line.

In the same period Melbourne beat Carlton, went close against the Gold Coast (78 to 86) and were overwhelmed by an in-form Sydney side.

This match shapes up as a much closer contest than the last time these teams played each other in round 22, 2013 at AAMI Stadium, when Adelaide were comfortable winners by 68 points.

Saturday will also mark the return of Crow-turned-Demon Bernie Vince to Adelaide.

Crows midfielder Rory Sloane said it would be good to catch up with his former teammate.

“Everyone misses Bernie, all of our supporters, our players – he was a very loved man at our footy club,” he said.

“As much as he’d like to have a great game, we can’t afford that.”

He’s right about that.

A win would put Adelaide 4-3 and on the edges of the eight while a loss would be followed by a round eight bye and then a tough encounter against Collingwood.

Saturday could define Adelaide’s season.

And in another sign that the fans love the new Oval, tickets are almost sold out.