Adelaide will face its toughest task of the season thus far as it travels to North Hobart Oval to take on reigning premier North Melbourne. 

The Crows come into the match brimming with confidence after claiming a top four scalp in the Gold Coast Suns last week. 

Senior Coach Ryan Davis spoke to the media in the lead-up to the game, and touched on the following.

Embracing the North Melbourne challenge

Davis said the opportunity to battle against the three-time reigning premiers has come at the perfect time for his team. 

Sporting a young side, the Crows have grown into the season and with two weeks to go have their game in a place the Senior Coach believed could challenge the competition’s best teams. 

“I think this moment's come at a fantastic time for our season,” Davis said. 

“Obviously, it is a very important game for us, but also I think where we're at as a footy club, the way we've been playing across all three phases these last few weeks. I think we're cherry ripe for the opportunity. 

“I think our contest and our pressure holds us in really good stead on small grounds. They're obviously quite formidable in those same metrics, but I think we're ready to play them anywhere. 

“So Hobart here, down there, it doesn't matter.”

Filling the void of Maddi Newman

Adelaide will be without reliable wing Maddi Newman for the remainder of the season, after she ruptured her ACL in last week’s win against Gold Coast. 

Davis gave a brief update on the 25-year-old and how she could be replaced for this Sunday’s match. 

“She's a superstar and obviously, we're very sad for Mads and we've got our arms around her,” Davis said.

“She'll jump into the hospital, get surgery next week, and then start her road to redemption. 

“Missing a player of her quality is certainly challenging, but we've got the players who are ready to step into that role. 

“We've had a lot of good players running around in the scrimmage, and they're ready to step up. So we'll see how they go today (at training), get into match committee this afternoon, and see how we go.

“Everyone's put their head up, so it's very diplomatic, but they all have been playing very good football. I think Chelsea Biddell will be in main training today as well, so she should come back into the side. And then with that wing spot, we're quite flexible.”

Growth since the Showdown

Since producing a disappointing performance against Port Adelaide three weeks ago, the Crows have delivered a fortnight of strong football. 

Davis said a detailed review and honest conversations following the Round Eight loss had led to a pair of strong performances against Richmond and Gold Coast. 

“I think there was a fairly solid review post that, and the energy in the place has been very good post that,” Davis said. 

“We know when we get our game going, it is a good brand that does stand up, and then just also having some honest conversations. 

“Having those losses and having those lessons has certainly put our last few weeks back on track. 

“They are a pretty honest group, so a lot of that was led by them. We facilitated a little bit, but they were pretty honest with their performances and how they want to remedy that.”

The rise of Chloe Bown

First-year Crow Chloe Bown was rewarded for a standout maiden campaign with a Round 10 Telstra AFLW Rising Star nomination. 

Bown produced a career-best game against the Suns last week, where she recorded 25 disposals, nine clearances and six tackles. 

Davis said it has been a thrill to watch the young midfielder grow throughout her first season at the highest level. 

“Some of her body work and her midfield craft is unreal, I think her ability to transition from forward into the midfield has been very impressive,” Davis said. 

“I think we got some really good weeks into her up ahead of the football, and that's really taken her game to another level in terms of the speed of the game. 

“Obviously she's a footballer at heart, so when we put her in the midfield, it just went from there.

“She's a diligent learner, so we're looking forward to big things for Chloe, and the Rising Star (nomination)  hasn't gone to her head at all. She's locked in on how we (as a team) can get better. We've got two really big games ahead of us, and we’ve got to win.”

Taking inspiration on how to quell the Kangaroos

Adelaide will be looking to replicate what Hawthorn did earlier in the season when it delivered North Melbourne its first loss in over two years. 

Davis said the competition had slightly caught up to the Kangaroos and said there was lots of inspiration he and the coaching staff would look to in preparation for the game 

“I think they have been in closer games this year, certainly last year they looked like an absolutely unstoppable juggernaut,” Davis said. 

“The beauty of having a team like North Melbourne, who is so far ahead, was that every other team in the competition has had to work their tails off to try and catch up with them. 

“Has that gap closed over the last few weeks? It looks like it may have, but I think that they've just forced the competition to get better and better. 

“I think you can take evidence from anywhere. I think the Carlton game earlier on the season was also a really good blueprint of the structure and the balance that Carlton held, and their ability to handball change through them, but also their ability to kick mark and keep them accountable.

“So we'll see on the weekend, but we're really excited. We're buoyed about our chances.”

Adelaide takes on North Melbourne at North Hobart Oval this Sunday afternoon, with the match to start at 12.35pm (ACDT). 

Fans can watch the game live on Fox Footy, Kayo and 7Two Adelaide.