Adelaide Senior Coach Matthew Nicks spoke to the media ahead of the Crows’ Elimination Final against the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

As the Crows prepare for their second-straight finals series, Nicks discussed the following.

Belief amongst four walls

Finals experience can be difficult to earn but invaluable once gained, and Nicks believes Adelaide is ready to benefit from the lessons of last September.

After reaching the second week of the finals series before bowing out in a Semi-Final, Nicks said the Crows have drawn on those experiences in preparation for this year's September campaign

“Our players have incredible confidence in what they're building,” Nicks said.

“I use that word deliberately. We're still building, but maybe that'll give a little bit more confidence to some outside of what it is we're putting together.

“I think we're in a really strong position when it comes to what we're putting out on the field. Definitely mentally, we're in a great spot. We're hardened from last year's experience. 

“We're actually able to draw on what we went through 12 months ago, so our players are in a really strong position on what maybe we didn't get right last year and what it is we're going to go in with as a focus this year.”

Nicks on external speculation

As external discussion continues around Adelaide's finals campaign, Nicks remains focused on the group's preparation and the progress the Club has made over recent seasons.

The Senior Coach said his attention was firmly on football and the belief shared by players and staff ahead of the Club's second consecutive finals appearance.

“I understand the narrative, it’s part of this industry, (but) it's probably not something I could talk to,” Nicks said.

“I can talk to what it is we've built, what we're developing, and why I'm really confident on where we sit as a footy Club, why we’re about to go into our second final series, and there's a lot of confidence in our group, a lot of belief in what it's what we've built over a period of time. 

“The focus for me at the moment is footy. As I mentioned, the belief we've got as a playing group and staff off the back of a 12 months worth of work since we were last in this position, puts us in a really good spot. 

“I've had a lot of support actually in the last 24, 48 hours, as I've had over the last seven years. I’ve spoken to our CEO, President, a number of Board Members around where we sit as a Club and the confidence that they've got, confidence that is in line with what we do as staff and the players.”

Early team news and player availability

The Crows will be without midfielder James Peatling (hip and groin soreness) and small forward Zac Taylor (hamstring strain) for this weekend’s Elimination Final.

The Senior Coach was, however, hopeful Taylor would recover in time should the Crows’ finals campaign continue into next week.

He also confirmed forward Callum Ah Chee had put his hand up for selection, after he was managed for the Round 24 game against GWS a fortnight ago.

“JP won't quite get himself right for this week, maybe even another, we’re just following a bouncing ball with that one,’ Nicks said.

“(Callum) Ah Chee will be in the mix.

“Unfortunately, we’ll miss (Zac) Taylor this week. He was in really good form, so it's disappointing at that moment when he went down. 

“He found his best football at the right time. You might have seen that he was incredibly emotional at that moment because he knows he's done the work. But that may be hopefully two-weeker, he might make himself available if we're good enough for the next one.”

Nicks on Izak Rankine’s first finals appearance 

Star midfielder Izak Rankine is preparing to line up in his first finals series after missing last year due to suspension.

Rankine will enter the match off the back of strong career form, having recorded 30-plus disposals in the past three games.

Nicks said he was excited to see the 25-year-old take to the field.

“I'm really looking forward to what he brings, he's in a really good place at the moment, both physically and mentally,” Nicks said.

“As I've said, it’s a credit to him, he had an incredible pre-season, he got himself ready, and he deserves everything that he's doing at the moment. 

“We hope we can get him to knock off a really good (training) session over today, and have him come in and impact the game like he has done over the last month or two.”

Adelaide faces the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday at 7.05pm.

General ticketing is exhausted, with hospitality packages now among the final opportunities to experience our home Elimination Final live.

Hospitality packages can be purchased here.

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