What to expect
ADELAIDE Crows will be out to claim their first win over Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval tomorrow night, as they continue their push for a finals berth.
Sitting in seventh place going into Round 12, Crows coach Phil Walsh will be looking for an improved performance after labelling his side’s skills “embarrassing” following their nine-point win over Carlton in Round 10.
“I was really disappointed with our skill level and our goal kicking. I thought at times they walked through our tackles as well. So we’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said.
The first-year coach is determined to see his side’s efficiency by foot improve – something that will prove crucial heading into their clash against a Hawks side sitting just one spot above the Crows on the ladder, by percentage only.
“We’ve got to improve our kicking – simple as that. Both for goal and field kicking and that’ll be a massive emphasis,” Walsh said.
“I’m a coach who wants to kick the ball. Its no good kicking the ball though if you kick it back to the opposition in this competition, you just get burnt on the counter attack and that’s what we invited too much today.”
And with seven teams sitting on either five or six wins heading into Round 12, the heat is on the Crows to stay ahead of the logjam if they are to factor in the pointy end of the season for the first time since 2012.
“I personally think we’re maybe a game behind where I thought we should be at this point,” Walsh said.
“Six (wins) and four (losses), we’re back in the pack so we’ve got to produce a better effort than that (against Carlton) to think that we can challenge when we really want to.”
Players to Watch
Patrick Dangerfield gathered 26 disposals, including a game-high 18 contested possessions, and nine clearances against the Blues.
After a 38-disposal effort against Fremantle the week before, he looms as the greatest threat in undoing the Hawks tomorrow night.
Key forward Josh Jenkins also bagged a career-high five goals against the Blues, and along with skipper Taylor Walker, will prove a handful for the likes of James Frawley and Brian Lake.
And despite being held to just the one goal from eight disposals against the Blues, Eddie Betts has this season averaged more than three goals per game.
Betts will be looking to bounce back with a big performance returning to the pockets he has made his own at Adelaide Oval.
Potential Changes
The Crows will be without midfielder Mitch Grigg after he rolled an ankle during the bye, while Charlie Cameron and Jake Kelly only managed six and four disposals respectively in their Round 10 appearances, and may find themselves under pressure to retain their spots.
Jarryd Lyons was named best on ground in Adelaide’s SANFL match before the bye with 31 possessions, 12 clearances and two goals, while Brad Crouch (33 disposals, nine clearances) and Richard Douglas (eight inside 50s, two goals) are also well and truly in the frame for a senior return.
Defender Ricky Henderson also remains a chance to return from a back injury.
