A TRIP to sunny Queensland is just what Adelaide needs at the moment: a chance to rest a few sore spots, get away from the increasingly cold weather and escape the glare of the media spotlight.

The only down side is the waiting Brisbane Lions.

The Crows have been hanging in there so far this season, despite their well-documented battle with injury. But after a disappointing loss to Collingwood last week, coach Neil Craig will be demanding a better effort from his troops.

Adelaide is poised to regain some big names, including skipper Mark Ricciuto and Graham Johncock, in the coming weeks, but for now, the Crows have to win with what they’ve got. This week, that includes utility Luke Jericho who will play his first game for the Crows since round 15, 2005. Evergreen midfielder Tyson Edwards will line up for his 250th game while Scott Welsh will play game No. 150.

Adelaide’s recent form: lost to Collingwood by 24 points, lost to Fremantle by one, beat Sydney by 17, beat Port Adelaide by 24 and beat Western Bulldogs by 38.

Recent results against the Brisbane Lions:
Round 11, 2006, Adelaide 10.15 (75) d Brisbane Lions 8.12 (60), Gabba
Round eight, 2005, Brisbane Lions 11.6 (72) d Adelaide 8.15 (63), AAMI
Round 17, 2004, Brisbane Lions 29.15 (189) d Adelaide 6.12 (48), Gabba
Round two, 2004, Brisbane Lions 15.14 (104) d Adelaide 11.17 (83), AAMI
Semi-final, 2003, Brisbane 18.16 (124) d Adelaide 12.10 (82), Gabba

Strengths: Adelaide’s forwards could be the key to conquering the Lions on Saturday. Crows talls Scott Welsh, Ian Perrie, Nathan Bock and Scott Stevens are far more experienced than their younger and significantly smaller Lions opponents. Welsh, who will line up for his 150th game, has played more games than the Lions’ three key defenders - Jason Roe, Daniel Merrett and Jared Brennan - combined.

Former North Adelaide junior Roe is likely to pick up Scott Welsh, leaving Merrett and Brennan to match up on Bock, Perrie or Stevens. The Lions continually field one of the most inexperienced defences in the competition, but the cubs have not been exposed largely because of the team’s dynamic goalkicking power up forward. Versatile Crow Luke Jericho has tremendous speed and could also be a wildcard if pushed up forward.

Potential weaknesses: Just when things appeared to be looking up for the Adelaide big men, Ben Hudson is in doubt with a corked thigh. Hudson’s body has copped a battering in the six gutsy four-quarter performances the ruckman has had to endure without any proven backup. Beanpole youngster Jon Griffin is progressing nicely but will be well and truly out of his depth against the Lions if Hudson fails to come up.

The Lions’ ruck department is at full strength with the duo of Jamie Charman and Beau McDonald last week out-muscling the biggest man in the league, Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands. Ken McGregor is likely to make the trip to Brisbane but Adelaide can ill-afford to lose Hudson and the Crows coaching staff will give the Queenslander every opportunity to play in his home state.

They’re sweating on: Increasing the number of entries into the Adelaide forward 50m. The Crows had eight less entries into their forward line than Collingwood last week and finished up with 14 fewer shots on goal. The Crows struggled to get their run and carry game going against the Magpies, who effectively filled the holes and prevented the Adelaide midfielders from creating space.

When Adelaide did move the ball quickly, it resulted in marks or forward entries. The Crows talls will only be able to expose the Lions defence if they are given the opportunity. The Adelaide forwards will also look to exert defensive pressure on their opponents and prevent rebounding defenders in Jed Adcock, Brennan and Roe from punishing the Crows on the turnover.

Danger men: Ben Rutten: The in-form Crows fullback will face his biggest challenge this season when he takes on a rampant Jonathan Brown. Rutten has already conquered Matthew Pavlich, Warren Tredrea and Anthony Rocca this season but none is as dangerous as the Lions match-winner. Brown hasn’t kicked a bag of goals yet this season but last week slotted through two, had 19 touches, 11 marks and also set up three teammates for goals. The imposing centre half-forward will probably look to drag Rutten up the ground out of his comfort zone and away from Nathan Bassett who likes to fill the space forwards lead into.

Ian Perrie: Perrie was the lone Crows forward last week. ‘The Sarge’ presented strongly across half-forward, taking eight marks including two contested. The Crows’ leading goalkicker will probably find himself matched up on Jared Brennan, who is athletic and quick, but a good five kilos lighter. The Adelaide midfielders will try and spot up Perrie one-on-one with Brennan, where his strength should be paramount.

Simon Goodwin: Goody looked the best he has all season in the Crows’ loss to Collingwood last week and has backed it up with a full week on the track. In his 250th game, Goodwin gave his all in the battling midfield, finishing with 28 touches and more clearances than any player on the ground. The left-footer might come under close attention from Lions stopper Michael Rischitelli but Goodwin will have to break the tag and be amongst Adelaide’s top possession-getters again if the Crows are to win.

It’s not generally known: Tyson Edwards has finished runner-up in the Crows’ best and fairest three times and came third in 2004, but has never won the award.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.