NO SINGLE player can stop Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin, says Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson, but he stressed his side has more to worry about on Sunday at the MCG.

Sanderson described Franklin "one of the most elite players in the competition" and said it would take a team effort to stop him, but he pointed out that the Hawks were dangerous all over the ground.

"Sometimes they've got four talls (up forward), sometimes they've got one tall; so that will be a challenge for us defensively," he said.

"Through the middle of the ground (they've) got some genuine inside ball winners.

"In defence they've got some fantastic, skillful left-footers that can cut you up by foot."

Sanderson said the Hawks will be inspired by several milestones on Sunday, while also breathing fire after another loss to Geelong on Monday.

"Their top six is as good as any club's top six and they bat really deep," he said.

"They've got three players playing a milestone game; two players playing their 200th and one player playing his 150th.

"They're going to be up and about, they'll be hurting from their loss last Monday and I'm sure we're going to be in for a real contest."

Despite suggesting his players lifted by about 5 per cent for Scott Thompson's 200th match last weekend, Sanderson cautioned such occasions don't always provide the ending they may deserve.

"Geelong lost my 200th game by about 20 goals to Brisbane," he said.

"(Jason) Akermanis kicked two of the best goals I've ever seen, so it doesn't always go to script."

Adelaide has lost its last five matches at the MCG under former coach Neil Craig, but as an assistant at Geelong, Sanderson won his last nine.

He said balance was the key to breaking the Crows' MCG hoodoo.

"It's easier to attack and harder to defend, so you have to have the balance right," he said of the difficulties of playing on such a large ground.

"It's really important at the MCG that all your systems are really water tight.

"We've got to make sure we go into the game with a really strict balance between attack and defence."

Momentum played a huge part in both sides' fates last weekend. The Crows managed to steal it in the last quarter to beat the Bulldogs, while Geelong rode it to boot four unanswered final-term goals on Monday.

Momentum shifts are sure to play an influential part in Sunday's clash and Sanderson said his side was ready for it.

"Sides can get on a roll, sides can score three, four, five goals really quickly. The good sides are able to change the momentum back in your favour."