Focus turns to Eagles
Brenton Sanderson wraps up a big win over the Giants
SHORTLY after casting aside Greater Western Sydney by 119 points, Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson had turned his attention to next week's blockbuster with West Coast at AAMI Stadium.
The result of Sunday's match at Skoda Stadium was never in doubt, with the Crows strolling to a 27.16 (178) to 8.11 (59) triumph to stay in line with the teams at the top of the AFL ladder.
Sanderson was then hoping West Coast and the Sydney Swans would have a bruising battle in Sunday's twilight match as he chased any advantage he could find ahead of hosting the Eagles next week.
"We'll look at this game and how we can get better, (but) West Coast provide a new challenge next week, one of the form sides of the competition," Sanderson said.
"We'll certainly get back and have a look at Sydney-West Coast, that's a great game for us to review and see what we can pull out of it.
"Hopefully we get one of those flights with the TV in the back of the seat.
"Fingers crossed we can get a sneak peek at the airport.
"Hopefully they beat each other up. They're always tough games and they're two very good sides who will be around later in the season."
Sanderson said Kurt Tippett would almost certainly return from concussion next week, but the coach was left with some fresh injury concerns.
Ricky Henderson, who kicked six goals last week, picked up a high ankle sprain in the first term and played no further part, and Brodie Martin hurt a hamstring.
That left Sanderson all the more pleased with the way his side was able to accelerate away from the Giants, who had been competitive in the early stages.
Eight multiple goal kickers among 13 individual goal scorers was also reason for optimism.
"I was really impressed," Sanderson said.
"To put the foot down and keep pushing and keep playing our way, we never got carried away with how we were going.
"We lost two players early … plus no Tippett, no (Taylor) Walker and no (Shaun) McKernan, so a spread of goal kickers was important.
"We'll review the game and then as soon as we can, get on to West Coast next week."
Sanderson had said in the build-up to this game he would have happily taken a one-point win, but he was delighted by the percentage boost they did record as teams jockey for ladder positions later in the year.
"That's better than one point, but what I meant was the most important thing was getting the win," he said.
"Once we got to 20 points [ahead], we tried to get to 30 and then 40, but on the ground you're not looking at the scoreboard.
"A lot of it's out of our hands. We just have to keep winning.
"It doesn't matter who we play, we just have to get the four points."
James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD