Adelaide’s flexibility across the ground will be a key focus in halting the Western Bulldogs this Friday night, according to veteran Rory Laird.
The Crows will face the Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, with both teams coming off strong performances in Round One.
Speaking to the media after Captain’s run, Laird said the Bulldogs had stars all over the ground, with the likes of but not limited to Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards and Sam Darcy.
But the defender was confident the Crows had a strong plan to combat the Dogs’ star line-up.
“We’ve got a lot of things we can do, we’ve got some flexibility down there, we’ve got some guys who are taller and can play that hybrid role,” Laird said.
“We’ve got a couple of guys out there who are in some really good nick - Nick Murray, Jordan Butts, and Josh Worrell as well can help.
“You can pretty much list half their team and say ‘these guys are all stars’.
“(We have) a massive respect for what they do and they’re in some great nick at the moment.”
The Crows will enter the game after beating Collingwood for the first time in 12 years at the MCG - a result Laird believes will give the team confidence ahead of this weekend’s next test.
“We had Collingwood at the ‘G, which was a massive game, we’ve got Friday night against the Dogs now, (and) you can’t be looking a few weeks ahead because you just get caught up in it,” Laird said.
“I think there’s always little things we can keep improving on. It wasn’t anything major when you play like that and have a win over there when you haven’t in a long time,” Laird said.
“There’s a lot of positives and a lot of guys playing some really good footy, but there’s some small things we can go through and change-up going into the Dogs this week, who play a bit differently.
“It’s a little bit of a confidence booster, but the thing with AFL footy is that you need to do it for the next 21 weeks and it doesn’t get any easier this week.”
The Crows are set to welcome back forward/midfielder Izak Rankine to the team, after the 25-year-old missed last weekend’s win due to suspension.
Laird said Rankine would be a welcomed addition to the side as it looks to continue its unblemished start to the season.
“(He is) a massive inclusion for us, he’s a superstar and a bit of a barometer for us, he brings a lot of energy, so it’s exciting to be back alongside him,” Laird said.
“He’s pretty good in front of the sticks, he’s pretty quick, but just his dynamic inside and around the midfield, he might go forward, he could play around the ball a bit more.
“It’s the flexibility that’s blessed a few players in the comp, and Izak is one of them, so we can look at a few different things.”
The Crows face the Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Friday at 7.10pm.
For all match day information, head to the Club’s game day hub here.
