Adelaide cannot allow Fremantle a fast start in Sunday’s important clash at Domain Stadium, according to livewire forward Eddie Betts.

It’ll be third against 16^th on the ladder when the Crows play in Perth on Sunday afternoon, but the contest could prove closer than it appears on paper.

Fremantle has won four of its past five games against Adelaide and the Crows haven’t beaten the Dockers at Subiaco in over four years. The return of lead ruckman Aaron Sandilands last week is another boost for Fremantle leading into Sunday’s clash.

Betts said a strong start would be crucial as the Crows target their second win of the season in WA.

“We’ve got to go over there and get the jump on them early,” Betts said on radio station FIVEaa on Wednesday.

“If they get a good start and they get some confidence and the crowd gets going, they’ll be hard to stop.

“It’s unpredictable. We’ve just got to go over there and play our way, put the pressure on them and get a good start early.”

Betts said the result is crucial for the Crows as they continue to fight for a top-four finish, while Fremantle would love to claim a big scalp as the Dockers build towards next season.

“You can’t write Freo off, especially over there,” Betts said.

“They haven’t been travelling that well, but they can come out and have a free shot at us and give it their all.”

“We can’t take them lightly. We‘ve got to go over there and play our way and hopefully get the win.”

The selection squeeze is getting tighter at West Lakes as the run to September continues to ramp up.

Scott Thompson and Mitch McGovern (both managed) missed last week’s win over Brisbane but are available for senior selection. Ruckman Sam Jacobs also wasn’t risked against the Lions after sustaining a minor ankle injury and is a chance to return.

Cam Ellis-Yolmen performed strongly in his first game of the season, while Reilly O’Brien also impressed in his AFL debut.

Several other Crows including Mitch Grigg, Harrison Wigg and Harry Dear continue to push for senior selection in the SANFL.

Betts said it was a strong position for the Club to be in, and the veteran isn’t expecting to miss any games himself in the final three rounds of the season.

“I don’t think so. My body is holding up well,” Betts said.

“We’re playing finals, so there’s going to be a bye before the finals, so if you play the last three games you get a bye anyway.”

Betts will play his 249^th AFL game this weekend to draw level with Jeff Farmer in tenth spot for the most matches by an Indigenous player.

Dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes holds the all-time record with 372 games, followed by Crows Hall of Famer Andrew McLeod (340) and current Hawk Shaun Burgoyne (314).