Adelaide defender Daniel Talia is looking forward to renewing his rivalry with reigning Coleman Medallist and West Coast star Josh Kennedy at Domain Stadium on Saturday night.
Talia held the Eagles spearhead to three goals across two games last season, including a solitary goal when the teams last met at Adelaide Oval in Round 22, 2015.
Kennedy, 28, got on top of the All Australian full-back the previous year, booting five to help guide his team to a 31-point win over the Crows on the road in Round 19, 2014.
Kennedy (38) trails only Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin (41) in goalkicking this season. He’s kicked 24 of his 38 goals at Domain Stadium, at an average of four goals per game.
Talia, 24, said he would rely on the support of his fellow defenders to nullify Kennedy’s influence, as well as that of Jack Darling, Mark LeCras, Elliot Yeo and Josh Hill.
“I’ll probably start on him (Kennedy) but, as we saw in yesterday’s game, a lot of guys will roll through there,” Talia said on Monday.
“It’s a bit different now. I probably don’t lockdown one-on-one as much. You’ve got to trust guys (around you) to get the job done and that’s how we’ve played all year.
“A number of guys will roll through him. It’s going to be a team effort.
“He’s really good, especially, over there at ‘Subi’. I’ve played on him a number of times now and he’s a great forward.
"I’m really looking forward to it this week.”
The seventh-placed Eagles and eighth-placed Crows have both won seven games this season, with West Coast percentage ahead on the ladder.
The Eagles have won all six of their home games (against Brisbane Lions, Fremantle, Richmond, Collingwood, St Kilda, and Gold Coast) by an average margin of 68 points.
Adelaide’s last win over West Coast in Perth was an 86-point victory in Round 23, 2013.
Talia said the trip west would be a great challenge for his team.
“This week is going to be a massive test, away at ‘Subi’, they (the Eagles) always play well there,” Talia said.
“We haven’t beaten them over there in a couple of years now. We’re really looking forward to the game. It’s going to be a big one. They’re coming off a loss, so we know they’re going to be fired up.
“At the same time, we’re ready to go and test ourselves against a potential top-four team.”
The Crows have some welcome headaches at the selection table ahead of Saturday’s game.
Two-time Club Champion Scott Thompson is ready to return after missing Sunday’s 88-point win over the Saints because of soreness. His replacement, Matt Crouch, stepped in with aplomb, racking up a career-high 36 possessions (17 in the first quarter) and also nine clearances.
“It was a pretty special first quarter from Matty – 17 touches, I couldn’t believe it,” Talia said.
“That’s exactly what we want from guys coming in (to the team). Our midfield is really hard to get into. ‘Thommo’ went out and Matty Crouch comes in and has 36.
“We’ve got a number of guys who are playing well in the SANFL that have been overlooked and just can’t get in because of the form (of our AFL midfielders). You’ve got Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Harrison Wigg, Dean Gore and these guys in the SANFL, who are putting their hand up each week.
“That’s what you want, you need a healthy list to win games of footy.
"It’s tough for the selectors and ‘Pykey’ (coach Don Pyke).
"I don’t know how they’re going to pick the team this week.”
