The Crows are looking to secure a second win in a row when they face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.

Senior Coach Matthew Nicks spoke to the media on Wednesday about the following topics.

Izak Rankine’s recovery from injury

Midfielder/forward Izak Rankine trained with the team this week and was listed as a test in the injury report as he continues to recover from a calf injury.

But Nicks confirmed the selection panel would not be bringing Rankine back into the line-up for this week’s clash against the Bulldogs, as the Club opted to take a conservative approach with the livewire.

“(It’s about) risk reward, I think in the game you're at the moment there's a lot of injuries,” Nicks said.

“Games change, some of the rules are starting to come in, it seems to be a lot faster again than maybe what it's been the last five or 10 years, so we are going to make sure we get this one right.

“He’s chomping at the bit, and wants to play… We're going to take a little bit of the risk out.”

Early team news confirmed

Defender Jordon Butts suffered a calf injury in the Crows’ clash against the Cats last week, and is set to be on the sidelines for the next two-three weeks.

Nicks confirmed that Nick Murray would return to the AFL line-up this week, with Butts being unavailable.

“Nick Murray is going to play,” Nicks said.

 Taylor Walker’s suspension

Taylor Walker will miss Thursday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs after his one-match ban for rough conduct was upheld by the AFL Tribunal.

Nicks said the tribunal result was “disappointing”.

“I’m not going to make a comment around the suspension itself, but it is disappointing for us because the plan was in place, he’s feeling really good, he’s fresh,” Nicks said.

“We’ll look at this now as another opportunity to keep him even fresher, and welcome him back when the suspension is over, which is one week.”

Nicks on playing the Bulldogs for the second time this season

This week’s game will mark the second edition of a clash between Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs in 2026, after the two teams met in Round Two.

During that game, the Bulldogs recorded a six-point win.

Nicks said the Crows learnt a lot from that game and were expecting a tightly held and contested game.

“We met the Dogs earlier in the season, and they were red hot,” Nicks said.

“We’re going to meet them again, red hot, but watching last week’s game, it’s going to be about contest, it’s never not about contest.

“It will be a completely different game to last week, in that last week was wet and slippery.

“We know that we are going to have to bring a contest, because they’re as good as any in that space.”

How to stop Bulldogs’ Skipper Marcus Bontempelli

Bulldogs Captain Marcus Bontempelli is continuing to be one of the most influential players of the competition and has willed his side over the line many times this year.

Bontempelli is second on the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award leaderboard, and is averaging 26.8 disposals, 5.3 clearances, 4.3 tackles and 18.8 pressure acts from 13 games.

Nicks said Bontempelli was widely respected among the team, and that he had a few different plans up their sleeve to try and halt his influence.

“Most teams have a player who’s very hard to stop, and Bont is one of those, but we use the word respect when we talk about players like Bont,” Nicks said.

“Respect for the game he brings, respect for, if you don’t bring the challenge or at least a contest around that, then you’re going to be found wanting.

“We go in with that mindset, and that could be anything from putting a shutdown player to him, or our best player on him to try and do that as a team.

“I’m not going to give too much away in that space, but it doesn’t always come across that way because these guys are so good. We will have a few plans in place, but you can’t just lock it in and say ‘we’re going to do it this way’, and if that doesn’t work, have nothing ready.”

Adelaide takes on the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium this Thursday night, with the match to start at 7pm (ACST).

The game will be broadcast live on Channel 7, Fox Footy and Kayo.