Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks doubts Gold Coast will goal Izak Rankine when the Crows’ prized recruit faces his former teammates for the primary time.
Rankine walked out of the Suns after three seasons on the finish of final yr to hitch Adelaide.
The dynamic ahead meets his ex-club in Darwin on Saturday night time.
“We haven’t actually delved into it at all, we haven’t spoken about it,” Nicks stated.
“It’s another game of footy. Our guys will be there for him.
“He’s taking part in some nice footy for the time being and I’ve bought little question he’ll stay up for that problem.
“There is a different thing about playing against your old side.
“He influences video games so I’ve bought little question they will put a while into him.
“I’m not sure whether they go above and beyond that, whether they take the focus off the game itself.”
Nicks was extra involved along with his seventh-placed outfit claiming the scalp of the Suns, who’re twelfth, to assist Adelaide take one other necessary step: successful away from residence.
The Crows have misplaced three of their 4 video games exterior of Adelaide this season.
“The level of footy we’re playing at home at the moment is above what we are putting out away,” Nicks stated.
“So we’re looking at a number of different areas that we can focus on. Some of that is in the pre-game, how we prepare – just small changes, nothing drastic.
“Ultimately it is that intent, that depth, that we’re bringing into the sport.
“We have got to bring it to the same level we do when we have 40,000-50,000 fans (at Adelaide Oval) that are bringing that energy.
“It’s a problem for us, one thing we’re acknowledging we should be higher at.
“But it’s also part of our evolution as a young group. Winning on the road is one that comes with experience.”
Nicks has summoned defenders Brodie Smith (again) and Mitch Hinge (concussion) from damage, with Josh Worrell and Ned McHenry dropped from the beginning 22.
The Suns, who downed the Western Bulldogs final Saturday night time in Darwin, have been boosted by the contract extension of younger gun Bailey Humphrey.
The 18-year-old, who was decide six ultimately yr’s nationwide draft, has inked a contemporary four-year deal tying him to the Suns till the tip of the 2028 season.
Humphrey was initially contracted till the tip of subsequent yr.
“I have honestly loved every minute of being at this club … I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he stated.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
