Adelaide’s bid to combat again into the AFL finals image hinges on at the least squaring their battle with a Melbourne on-ball division led by dominant ruckman Max Gawn, coach Matthew Nicks says.
A pair of losses over the previous fortnight have pushed the Crows out of the highest eight forward of a high-stakes conflict with the fourth-placed Demons on Sunday.
Gawn looms as the largest of Melbourne’s many threats, each figuratively and actually, after his commanding solo efficiency final week with out axed ruck associate Brodie Grundy.
Reilly O’Brien shall be charged with nullifying Gawn, whereas the Crows recalled veteran Matt Crouch to their midfield combine after dropping Rory Laird to a shoulder damage.
“Gawn leads from the front,” Nicks mentioned.
“He’s playing a lot more around the footy so that will be our challenge around what he is able to do with his midfield group and whether we can match that.
“We do not count on to return in and dominate them in that area, however (we have to) match that and provides ourselves an opportunity to play.”
Adding to the test is a venue – the MCG – where Adelaide have struggled in recent seasons and a poor 1-6 record away from home this season.
The Crows are on a seven-match losing streak at the ‘G, dating back to the 2017 grand final.
But they were buoyed by a near-miss against Collingwood in round 15, when they fell just two points short of the ladder leaders.
“We truly actually loved taking part in on the MCG a few weeks in the past,” Nicks mentioned.
“It provides you the area to work in and when you’re there within the contest you give yourselves an opportunity.”
The spotlight this week has been on Gawn and Grundy – and the fate of their high-profile ruck partnership – but the Crows haven’t lost sight of another Melbourne game-breaker.
Christian Petracca has shifted forward despite fellow midfield star Clayton Oliver’s ongoing absence with a hamstring injury, and has fired the Demons to consecutive wins with eight goals over the last two weeks.
“That’s the problem once you play Melbourne. You may hold throwing names at us, that is why they’re such a superb aspect,” Nicks mentioned.
“It seems to be like (Petracca) is extra ahead, hitting the scoreboard and a extremely powerful match-up.
“The issue when you go up against Petracca is he’s a speed and power player … that’s why he’s so dominant.
“But our guys will put their heads down and go to work this weekend.”
As well as missing prolific ball-winner Laird, the Crows have lost talented forward Josh Rachele to suspension.
Patrick Parnell and Harry Shcoenberg return, and Brayden Cook will play his first game of the season.
Melbourne recalled Adam Tomlinson to switch Harrison Petty (ribs), with Kade Chandler in for Charlie Spargo (omitted).
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
