Melbourne ahead Alex Neal-Bullen expects a troublesome scrap within the blockbuster AFL Gather Round opener towards under-fire Adelaide.
The Crows have their backs to the wall after a 0-3 begin in a yr after they have been broadly tipped to play finals for the primary time underneath Matthew Nicks.
Another loss to in-form Melbourne at a sold-out Adelaide Oval on Thursday evening might be disastrous for his or her top-eight hopes amid a rising checklist of damage setbacks.
But the Demons will not be lulled right into a false sense safety by their opposition’s early-season woes.
“No matter how they’ve been going previously, every time you play the Crows at Adelaide Oval they’re going to bring the heat,” Neal-Bullen mentioned.
“They bring the contest and that’s what we expect. We can’t wait for it.
“We know that the Crows are going to be at their greatest, so we have to be on from the beginning.”
Melbourne (3-1) extended their winning streak to three matches with a tough seven-point win over Port Adelaide last Saturday night and have stayed in the South Australian capital to prepare for the Crows clash.
SA product Neal-Bullen feels the tighter Adelaide Oval playing arena suits the Demons, who boast an 11-7 record at the venue that includes a 5-2 head-to-head record with the Crows.
“Every time we come to Adelaide Oval, whether or not it is Port Adelaide or the Crows, it is a highly-contested recreation,” Neal-Bullen mentioned.
“It’s a smaller boundary in comparison with our residence deck on the MCG, so it is an important problem.”
Tough midfielder Jack Viney trained away from Melbourne teammates on Wednesday as a precaution because of illness but has been named in the Demons’ squad to face the Crows.
All-Australian backman Steven May returns in place of injured teammate Marty Hore (fractured thumb), following a one-match absence because of broken ribs.
Neal-Bullen said May earned the trust of teammates when he made the call to play through a hamstring injury in the 2021 grand final.
“If you’re taking the sphere you have to be able to and provides an important contest, and massive Maysie will little doubt try this,” Neal-Bullen mentioned.
“He’s been on this place earlier than and gamers every week are in these positions the place you’ve got acquired somewhat niggly damage.
“It’s ultimately up to the player to make the right decision there.”
Adelaide have made 5 modifications from final week’s defeat to Fremantle.
Luke Pedlar, Lachlan Sholl and James Borlase have been axed, whereas Wayne Milera and Lachlan Murphy are out due to knee accidents.
The Crows recalled Jordon Butts and Sam Berry, whereas Patrick Parnell, Brayden Cook and Luke Nankervis have been picked for the primary time this season.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
