Defender Brent Reilly says the Crows must play ‘selfless’ football to overcome the Sydney Swans in the Club’s first home game at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Adelaide was down in a number of key areas in Showdown XXXVI, including contested possession and tackles, but Reilly said not everything could be measured on the stats sheet.
“We need to start playing for one another, backing each other in and playing the footy we know we can play,” Reilly said on Monday.
“(That means) Supporting each other, blocking and helping each other out, and running to areas where you might not get the ball, but someone else might get free. Sometimes you go out there and just try to win the ball yourself and you forget about your teammates
“We need to look after one another and play as a team.”
The Crows led early in the third quarter against Port Adelaide, but conceded 12 of the last 15 goals of the game to slip to a 55-point defeat.
As disappointing as the hefty loss was, Reilly said it was important the team turned its attention to the Swans, who are also chasing their first win of the season.
“It’s not the best start, but we’ve played two good quality opposition teams,” Reilly said.
“Sando spoke to us this morning about how we need to move on. He was really good. He went over some stats we need to look at … but he was up and about and looking forward to next week. I’ve been in the game long enough to know you can’t dwell on losses for more than 48-72 hours.
“You need to move on and we’ve got a great opportunity this week at our first home game at Adelaide Oval against another quality opposition in Sydney. We know they’ll come out firing.
“They’ve had a lot of negative media … so they’ll get away from their state and come over here to try to knock us off.”
Showdown XXXVI was Reilly’s first AFL game since dislocating his shoulder in Round 14 last season.
Reilly slotted back into Adelaide’s defence, collecting 18 possessions and taking some timely marks.
“I was rapt to get out there. To come back for the first Showdown was pretty intense. I said to the few of the boys before, the first quarter was probably the most intense footy I’ve ever been involved in. I was very nervous before the game, so to get through was good,” he said.
“I need to go out and perform and do my best for the team. It was the first step on the weekend. Physically, I feel great. I had a few good contests on the weekend which would’ve tested the shoulder out and it held up well.”
The form of a few young players, namely Brodie Smith, Matthew Jaensch and Sam Kerridge were among the positives in Adelaide’s loss to Port Adelaide.
Smith was instrumental across half-back and pushing up onto the wing, while Jaensch also showed good composure. Kerridge held Power captain Travis Boak to 19 possessions and a goal, while collecting 16 disposals and a goal of his own.
“We have some players who are really playing well. Matty Jaensch is playing some good footy, and Brodie Smith is playing some outstanding footy,” Reilly said.
“We’ve got a few blokes a bit down who need to start playing some good footy, but some of the young kids – the second-tier players and backbone of our team are playing well and holding us up.”
The Crows will need to make at least one change to the team to play Sydney, with Brad Crouch set to miss six weeks because of a fractured fibula. Ironically, Brad’s younger brother, Matt, could be in the mix as a replacement.
“I didn’t see Matt’s game against South on Friday night, but I played with him against the Eagles two weeks ago. He’s just really good with the ball in his hands,” Reilly said.
“He’s really clean and precise with his skills. If he gets his opportunity this week it’ll be great for the footy club to blood another young kid into the team.”
Only standing tickets remain for Adelaide’s first home game against Sydney on Saturday. A limited number of season memberships remain. Find out more about becoming a member and securing your place at Adelaide Oval
