Brodie Smith says the Crows need to do more to help Patrick Dangerfield when he’s receiving close attention from opposition teams.

On Thursday night, Geelong defender Cam Guthrie tagged Dangerfield, not allowing the two-time All-Australian any space or easy possession – of the star Crow’s 21 disposals, 17 were contested. The other Cats players also did their best to make Dangerfield earn every touch.

In a great show of strength, the Adelaide joint vice-captain was able to overcome the tight checking to kick two important goals, including the one to put the visitors in front early in the final quarter. But Smith said it was important the Crows onballers provided more support for Dangerfield.

“Everywhere Danger went, he had someone hanging onto him. Credit to Danger for the way he played and the contested ball he won. He still tried to lift us from that position,” Smith said.

“There are things the midfield will work through to try to free Danger up and give him as much help as we can because when he’s got the ball in his hands he’s obviously very dangerous. We need to get it to him as much as we can.

“We’ll try to help him out a bit more.”

The focus on Dangerfield allowed several of Adelaide’s unsung midfielders to thrive.

Matt Wright continued his brilliant start to 2014 with a team-high 31 possessions, while young duo Sam Kerridge and Mitch Grigg also found plenty of the ball and used it well.

Smith said there were good signs for the Crows, but admitted the 38-point loss left a bitter taste.

“The positive we take out of it is that for three quarters we were really competitive against Geelong. It’s the toughest road trip going over to Geelong and we played some good footy. In the last quarter it all fell apart for us and that’s the negative,” he said.

“It wasn’t a fitness thing. We’ve done a mountain of work. In the last quarter our contested ball fell away and that was probably the main factor in the end. We’ll do the game review on Monday and sort out exactly what went wrong.”

The Crows will now turn their attention to Port Adelaide in the first Showdown at Adelaide Oval next Saturday. Forward James Podsiadly is expected to be available for the historic match.

Podsiadly sustained a ‘dead’ elbow in a contest in the first quarter but was able to play out the game.

“I think ‘J-Pod’ is okay. He copped a knock and his arm went dead for a while there. He seems fine and he should be right for next week,” Smith said.

Defenders Brent Reilly and Rory Laird, who will line up in Adelaide’s SANFL trial against Woodville-West Torrens on Saturday morning, will also be hoping to press for selection.

Smith said the Crows were keen to atone for their loss to Geelong.

“It’s really exciting going to Adelaide Oval. Both teams will want to get a win first up there,” he said.

“Coming off a loss, we’ll want to play better than we did this week and have a four-quarter performance.”

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