Goodwin’s influence no surprise: Crows
By AAP
ADELAIDE wingman David Mackay isn't surprised at Simon Goodwin's instant influence as an Essendon assistant coach. Mackay has no doubt the Bombers will lean on Goodwin's knowledge of the Crows in the AAMI Stadium encounter. But the Adelaide playmaker doesn't believe Goodwin's inside nous will be match-defining. "He does know a fair bit about us, being so involved," Mackay said on Monday. “Simon has obviously got good knowledge of the footy club but having said that, we don't think it's going to make too much of a difference." Former Essendon assistant Scott Camporeale will also be feeding information in his first-year role as Adelaide midfield coach. "Goody will be helping them and Campo helping us, I'm not too sure how much of a role it's going to play," Mackay said, adding Goodwin's polished transition into coaching is predictable. "We are certainly looking to put them under pressure early on and make sure that the crowd gets involved," he said.
Dons hope Watson returns for Crows
By Matt Murnane
ESSENDON has proved it can end losing streaks this season and has its fingers crossed that captain Jobe Watson will be fit to help it stop another one against Adelaide this Friday night. Now, Essendon wants to put the brakes on another losing run involving the state of South Australia and, fittingly, hopes to call on both Watson and the experience gained from its last win interstate to do it. The Bombers have not won at AAMI Stadium, whether it be against the Crows or Port Adelaide, for more than four years - round one, 2007, to be exact. The run of five consecutive defeats includes an 84-point thumping at the hands of Adelaide in round 14 last year. Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton said Watson was a chance to play this week but he would need to get through several fitness tests. ''He certainly hasn't been ruled out, he's certainly a chance. But we'll be guided a lot by the medical staff and his progress during the week,'' he said.
Herald Sun
The Question
By Mike Sheahan
What on earth has happened to football in South Australia?
A: Port Adelaide and Adelaide played finals in 2007, Port playing in the Grand Final. Four years on, the two South Australian teams are 16th and 14th on the ladder, with six wins between them. Fewer than 17,000 people watched Port play St Kilda at AAMI Stadium on Sunday. The previous week, Adelaide and Sydney drew 23,000 to headquarters. The Crows used to play practice games in front of that many. It is both amazing and alarming. Hopefully, those in authority aren't contenting themselves with the notion all will be well when Adelaide Oval becomes the new home of footy in SA. Adelaide will be fine. It is a strong club with a sound administration and a rich history for an entity just 20 years old.
The Advertiser
Walker sling not too bad: McKay
By Zac Milbank
ADELAIDE midfielder David Mackay is confident teammate Taylor Walker will escape suspension at the SANFL tribunal. Reported for a sling tackle while playing for Norwood on Saturday, Walker faces a nervous wait to determine whether he'll be available to confront Essendon at AAMI Stadium on Friday night. "I watched Taylor play and I saw that incident," Mackay revealed this morning. "He'd be a good player to get back, we certainly miss him so hopefully everything goes well with that." Walker was among several Crows to play in the SANFL on the weekend with Ricky Henderson, Shaun McKernan, Richard Tambling and Ivan Maric all pushing their claims for selection against the Bombers. Crows forward Chris Knights (calf) didn't recover in time to play for Woodville-West Torrens but hopes to prove his fitness at training this week. CROWS INJURY LIST: Chris Knights (calf) Test; Ian Callinan (hamstring) 1-2 weeks; Richard Douglas (ankle) 5 weeks; James Craig (hamstring) Test; Jason Porplyzia (shoulder) indefinite; Phil Davis (shoulder) Season.
Crows in audacious bid to free Walker
By Michelangelo Rucci
TAYLOR Walker is guilty, his AFL bosses at the Crows say. But not as charged by the SANFL, they add. The Crows this morning will test the boundaries with the SANFL. They will be asking if Walker's SANFL club Norwood can use precedence - in particular from the AFL - to defend the key forward on a rough conduct charge. If the league agrees, Walker will this evening make his second appearance to the SANFL tribunal in seven weeks. He will ask the judiciary to significantly downgrade his report for the head-crunching tackle of North Adelaide opponent Timothy Delvins. Walker could then face no more than a reprimand and remain available to reboot Adelaide's attack for its Friday Night Football contest with Essendon at AAMI Stadium. "If we can introduce evidence from other cases to challenge how Taylor Walker's report was graded we will go to the tribunal," Adelaide football operations chief Phil Harper said after meeting Walker and Norwood officials at The Parade last night. "If we can't, we will advise Taylor not to fight the case."
