With his side's premiership defence hanging in the balance, Adelaide AFLW coach Matthew Clarke is preparing as normal for Sunday's crucial encounter with Greater Western Sydney at Hisense Stadium, despite the ongoing Coronavirus concern.
Having lost their past two games, the Crows (2-3) - who are fifth in Conference A – can all but kiss their season goodbye if they lose to the third-placed Giants (3-2).
Fielding arguably their strongest side of the season, including the return of dual AFLW best and fairest Erin Phillips and winger Deni Varnhagen among four inclusions, Clarke said the Crows were embracing the pressure.
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"As we always knew in any AFLW season, any game is vital, but the maths say we have to win this week," Clarke said on Friday.
"If we don't, then we're realistically not going to make the finals.
"That opportunity is great for us because clearly the team we're up against is the one that is holding the spot we'd like to have.
"The match will have a finals-like intensity about it."
Whether the match will be played in front of spectators, or even at all, could change in the next 48 hours.
Crows head of football Adam Kelly briefed the players on Thursday night about some of the measures that will be put in place, including asking players not to interact with supporters after the game.
"This is a fairly unique landscape that is changing rapidly," Clarke said.
"Ultimately, every indication is the game goes ahead, so therefore, we'll prepare to play the game, which will happen as we understand it.
"So, there is no great variance from our end."
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Phillips returns after missing last weekend's loss to North Melbourne with knee soreness, while Varnhagen plays her first game of the season after injuring her left knee in a trial game against Fremantle.
Midfielder Najwa Allen (calf) and forward Eloise Jones (AC joint) have also overcome injuries that forced them out of last weekend's game.
Clarke admitted bringing players back into the side after long layoffs had potential disrupted his side this season.
"The magnets on the board are interesting, but it's probably more, are they ready to perform at a really high level," he said.
"That's probably been one of the challenges over the last fortnight, re-integrating players that have had interruptions.
"Sometimes that continuity is a better fit, but the assessment was all the players coming in would make us better, so that's where we're at."
