By Katrina Gill 3:54 PM Thu 26 Mar, 2009
Jared Petrenko may play in defence against Collingwood
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Adelaide’s recent form: one pre-season win, three losses
Recent results against Collingwood:
Elimination Final, 2008: Collingwood 19.11 (125) d Adelaide 14.10 (94), AAMI
Round 15, 2008: Collingwood 15.16 (106) d Adelaide 11.8 (74), MCG
Round 22, 2007: Adelaide 14.10 (94) d Collingwood 11.9 (75), Docklands
Round six, 2007: Collingwood 11.20 (86) d Adelaide 9.8 (62), AAMI
Round 18, 2006: Adelaide 7.16 (58) d Collingwood 7.12 (54), AAMI
Medical room:
Adelaide:
Scott Thompson (hamstring) in doubt, Jason Porplyzia (available), Ben Rutten (knee) available, Nathan van Berlo (plantar fascia tear) available, Brad Symes (wrist/thumb) available, Graham Johncock (personal reasons) TBC, Brad Moran (knee) test, Greg Gallman (collarbone) two weeks, Rory Sloane (knee), six weeks, Brett Burton (knee) mid-season.
Collingwood:
Kevin Dyas (hamstring) test, Sean Rusling (shoulder) test, Anthony Rocca (ankle) one week.
Summary
There's a genuine air of excitement surrounding West Lakes at the moment after a pre-season of promise from some of the club's youngest stars.
Gun onballer Scott Thompson, who is battling hamstring soreness, is likely to join Graham Johncock on the sidelines this week leaving the door open for up to three debutants.
Former rookie Jared Petrenko is almost a certainty after showcasing his dash and versatility over the NAB Cup/Challenge competition and Taylor Walker should slot in up forward alongside comeback kid Trent Hentschel.
Two-gamer Andy Otten will play a role in defence and fellow second-years Myke Cook, Patrick Dangerfield and Jarrhan Jacky will also be around the mark.
The Crows were embarrassed by Collingwood at home in the elimination final last season, but the influx of new blood should help erase any bad memories.
The Pies are up and about despite their hefty NAB Cup grand final loss to a determined Geelong and will be at near-full strength this week.
The stage doesn’t get much bigger than Collingwood at the MCG and coach Neil Craig will be keen to see how his side fares against an outfit he rates as a big improver in ‘09’.
Key match-up
Adelaide’s defensive versatility and the use of the en-vogue ‘zone’, which involves guarding space rather than an opponent, makes predicting match-ups (beyond the obvious full-forward v full-back) this week a difficult challenge.
The Crows tinkered with their half-back line over the summer and will need to find the right balance of accountability and offensive drive to combat the dangerous trio of Paul Medhurst, Alan Didak and Leon Davis.
Kick it to me
Ben Rutten’s potential return from injury could pave the way for swingman Scott Stevens to resume his role as a pinch-hitting forward. Stevens booted six goals in a standout performance against Collingwood in last year’s elimination final and bagged another four in the NAB Challenge game against West Coast. The Crows will be reluctant to go too tall up forward, with the likes of Kurt Tippett, Hentschel and Walker likely to feature, but Stevens could be the ace up Craig’s sleeve.
Somebody stop me
Collingwood utility John Anthony was already on Adelaide’s radar after his three-goal haul in the elimination final last year and his bag of seven in the NAB Cup semi final only enhanced his reputation. Anthony’s speed and athleticism will make him a tough match-up for regular full-back Rutten and All-Australian centre-half back Nathan Bock could have his hands full with Travis Cloke. Adelaide will need to find the right opponent for this potential match winner.
At the selection table
Crows fans are desperate to see more of prized recruit Patrick Dangerfield, but will the new number 32 be edged out by fellow speedster Myke Cook this week? Cook has impressed with his work ethic over the summer and Craig has already likened the teenager to Collingwood star Dale Thomas. Either way, Dangerfield won’t be far from adding to his two-game tally.
It’s not generally known that…
Scott Thompson has not missed a game since round 6, 2006.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
afc.com.au
