Adelaide Assistant Coach Nathan van Berlo says the Crows are embracing the challenge of taking on arch rivals Port Adelaide and the big build up ahead of the game.
The Crows play the Power in Showdown 54 this Saturday night at Adelaide Oval - in what will be Adelaide’s home game.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, van Berlo said his side was ready for a tough contest.
“There's a reason why they (the Power) sit the way they do on the ladder, they have played some outstanding footy and challenged teams in a unique way so obviously we understand the challenge that is presented to us this week,” van Berlo said.
“We are going to have to bring our best footy around the contest, they can certainly break games open if we don’t get it right.
“Some results haven’t gone our way and we have been disappointed by that but we are confident we are in a good space to attack this game.”
Adelaide will be forced to make at least two changes for the match with defender Nick Murray and Forward Izak Rankine sidelined, due to injury.
Van Berlo said Adelaide would look at a range of options to replace the duo.
“Obviously there are a couple of forced changes this week with some unfortunate outs in Murray and Rankine, so we will assess what our mix looks like across all lines,” van Berlo said.
“A huge part of our selection discussions is matchups and it doesn’t always mean we go like for like and that's based on what the opposition presents to us as well.
“We’ve got a number of guys playing some good strong footy behind the ball in particular, Mark Keane, James Borlase, Will Hamill, and Paddy Parnell to name a few guys who are in strong form.”
Van Berlo said he was pleased with the depth of the squad, following Luke Nankervis’ debut against Melbourne in Round 19.
“On the weekend, Luke Nankervis couldn’t have done too much more than what he did so the signs are good that the guys in the SANFL team are putting pressure on when they come up,” Van Berlo said.
“Everyone who came up from the SANFL on the weekend all played their role for the team.
“It’s pleasing that the guys who have come in have played exactly what we have needed from them.”
Adelaide will take on Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, with the first bounce at 7.10pm.
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