Adelaide defender Brodie Smith says the Crows’ training is looking a little different since returning from Perth, with players eyeing their Round One encounter with GWS.
The Crows completed their pre-season fixture with a win against West Coast in Perth last Friday and will battle the Giants in the opening round next Sunday.
Smith spoke to the media on Wednesday - eleven days out from the clash with GWS - and said players and coaches had already started their opposition analysis.
“We’ve got the oppo boards up in the changerooms so we get the names and get familiar with what they’re going to do,” Smith said.
“I know Burnsy (Assistant Scott Burns) got the white defenders out there today to play a bit like their (GWS) halfbacks.
“They’ve got some dangerous (defenders) and we know they can be pretty attacking off their halfback line, so we need to shut those guys down.
“Little things like that we’ve started already but next week there will be a heavy focus on that.”
Smith said there were plenty of positive signs after the practice games in WA, with the Crows looking to take them into Round One.
“We had two good games and it’s obviously a lot better to win those than to lose but it’s more the way we played and the way we went about our structures,” Smith said.
“We had a focus on winning by design, not winning by chance and we felt like we did that.
“It feels like we’ve got a game plan in sync and our team is looking really strong.
“It’s a good start for us but it is only practice games so it will really ramp up for Round One.”
Smith, who played 21 games last season and averaged 20.2 disposals, also had high praise for new draftee Max Michalanney, as well as former Captain Rory Sloane, as he continued his return from an ACL injury.
“He (Michalanney) can play tall and small, and he’s been super impressive for a kid who’s just come in,” Smith said.
“He knows the game back to front, he’s got leadership qualities already and he’s looking really good.
“Everyone knows the character of Rory Sloane and how much he means to the footy Club and all the players.
“He’s not just out there running around, he’s out there performing at a really high level, which everyone loves.”
Adelaide takes on GWS at Giants Stadium on Sunday, March 19, at 12.40pm (ACDT).
