Adelaide will be searching for back-to-back wins when it travels to the MCG this Sunday to take on a Richmond side fresh off its first victory of the season. 

Crows Senior Coach Matthew Nicks spoke to the media in the lead up to the trip, and touched on the following topics. 

Decision yet to be made on Fogarty 

Forward Darcy Fogarty will return to the field this weekend after missing the past five weeks due to a back injury, with a decision yet to be made on whether he would feature at AFL or SANFL level. 

“It’s tempting (to bring Darcy Fogarty straight back into the AFL team), but we’ll make an informed decision around that,” Nicks said. 

“He’ll train today and he’s moving really well, he’s knocking the door down in my office and he’ll want to play AFL (this week).

“He’s a very important part of what we’re doing in the second half of the year, with us being three weeks away from the bye now it will be a medium term decision with Darcy. 

“We’ve missed that scoreboard impact he brings, how deadly he is in front of goal, and having spent five weeks out now that’s a decision we won’t make lightly.” 

Ah Chee progressing well

Recruit Callum Ah Chee was left off the Club’s injury report this week, and is one of a number of experienced players preparing to return to the line-up in the coming weeks. 

“We’ve still got to train, but he (Cal) is progressing really well, we’ve got a few actually that are in a similar position,” Nicks said. 

“Darcy Fogarty is in that same boat, and Mitch Hinge is probably a bit further away, but it’ll be nice to have some of these guys knocking on the door and boosting a little bit of that experience that we might have been missing in previous weeks.”

The versatility of Nick Murray 

Adelaide has experimented using Nick Murray as a forward in the past week, and he impressed in the role at SANFL level kicking three goals.

However, Nicks said the 25-year-old would not be limited to just playing forward, with the coaching staff optimistic about his versatility. 

“We’ve had a bit of a look at Nick ahead of the ball, but we’ve by no means written him off behind the ball,” Nicks said.

“We’d love to have a player that plays at both ends, you look at what James Sicily has done in his career at both ends for Hawthorn, he’s such a weapon that they can always move him around.

“Muz played really well last week at SANFL level, so he’s put his name there and deserves an opportunity.” 

Dawson expected to play 

Nicks expects Skipper Jordan Dawson to return to the line-up this Sunday, after he missed last week’s Showdown for personal reasons. 

“It’s interesting watching Daws, when we played in Brisbane the different emotions he went through, running out onto the ground there was a smile on his face as he was back amongst his teammates and playing footy - and he performed so well in that game,” Nicks said.

“He’s an energy for our group, our group loves having him around, he’s been here all week, he’ll train today and make sure everything runs smoothly, but I expect him to play this weekend.” 

Nicks wary of confident Tigers

The Crows will face a Richmond side brimming with confidence after their first win of the season, with the Tigers set to present a tough challenge on their home deck this Sunday. 

“My word they present a big challenge for us, we play them at the MCG for starters, and last week they really got their contest game up and going,” Nicks said. 

“Aerially they’re quite dangerous, there’s nothing left in the tank when it comes to their effort and energy, and that showed last week in their win - they’re really bringing that intensity and we’ll have to do the same if we’re going to come away with a win.”  

The growth of Sam Berry 

The improvement of midfielder Sam Berry was on show against Port Adelaide last week, as he recorded a career-high 19 tackles to help lift the Crows to victory, and win the Showdown Medal. 

“There’s no doubt Bez’s mental side of the game has strengthened, he’s got a real belief in what he can do and his teammates have given him that - they’ve backed him in for the different roles he plays in our team,” Nicks said. 

“He’s very much an in and under player, this year around stoppage he’s had a real impact in there, whether its first possession or whether its actually making a tackle. 

“To have 19 tackles last week shows he loves being in and under, and its a credit to Bez because he’s had to work hard to cement that position in the team and he’s a really important part of our team at the moment.” 

Nicks optimistic after first eight weeks 

Adelaide has come out of the first half of the season with an even four win and four loss record and sits on the fringe of the top 10 in 11th spot. 

Nicks said the group was optimistic about where it was headed after facing a number of challenges in the early part of its campaign. 

“We look back on the first eight weeks and some of the teams we played, some of which are highly rated and have been for years,” Nicks said.

“To be in the position we’re in at the moment from a win/loss point of view, but more so to feel like we’re gaining a bit of momentum. 

“It’s not stand-out at this point, but internally we feel quite optimistic about where our game is going to, we’re starting to see more of the shape we’re after and cohesion we built last year.

“If you look at this time last year we were humming along, maybe too early, so you learn a bit from previous seasons and we’re reasonably confident in where we’re heading now.” 

Playing at the MCG

The Crows will make their second trip to the MCG this season on Sunday afternoon, after recording a strong victory against Collingwood at the venue in Round One. 

“We don’t get there often, it’d be nice to get there in late September, that’s the goal, so these games are great preparation for us to go there and perform,” Nicks said. 

“We really enjoy playing down there, our guys have come away from games and a lot of reports when we go back and look at MCG matches, there’s a lot of enthusiasm that comes from the group. 

“It’s a large deck, it’s open, it’s got a real atmosphere to it and we can’t wait to play there for the second time this year.” 

Adelaide takes on Richmond this Sunday afternoon at 2.45pm (ACST), the game will be broadcast live on Channel 7 Adelaide and Fox Footy/Kayo.