Coach Brenton Sanderson says Mick Malthouse’s comments challenging Adelaide’s credentials as a top-two team didn’t bother him ... not for long anyway.
Earlier in the week, Malthouse suggested the Crows and Sydney had climbed to the top of the AFL ladder on the back of favourable draws rather than form or ability, saying they weren’t the two best teams in the competition.
Sanderson admitted he was momentarily stung by Malthouse’s remarks, but said he respected the dual-premiership coach’s opinion.
“It upset me for about two minutes and then I let it wash over me,” Sanderson said of the comments.
“I love Mick. He was a great coach and has so much respect in the AFL community. And if he thinks we’re not worthy of a top-two finish, he’s probably right. I think anyone in the top eight can win it this year.
"It’s just one of those seasons. If you’re fit and in form in September, there’s every chance you could win a premiership.”
To reach second spot on the ladder, Adelaide has beaten 13 of the other 17 teams (the Crows are yet to play Brisbane and Melbourne) in the competition, including current top-eight sides Sydney, Geelong, West Coast and Essendon.
“I think we’ve had a really good year. If you count the NAB Cup, we’ve won 20 games out of 24 and I think we’ve beaten some decent sides in that 20,” Sanderson said.
“We’ve had some bad quarters and a couple of bad games where we’ve been beaten by good teams. At the same time, we’ve played really well against some good sides as well.
“We’ve kicked 576 more points than we did last year - that’s almost 100 more goals - and we’re at round 20. We’re playing some good footy, but we’ll be judged on our September form as well and I understand that.
"Hopefully, we go okay and upset a few teams later in the year.”
After locking away a top-eight and probably top-four spot, Sanderson said his side had set its sights on maintaining a place in the top-two at the end of the minor round. To do that, the Crows must beat the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Adelaide has won its past two matches against the Lions in Brisbane, but only by a combined total of 12 points. Sanderson said it was important his team didn’t look further ahead than this week.
“We’ve just got to keep winning. Brisbane is a really important game for us. We’ve got to go up there, play our way and win to keep that top-two chance alive,” he said.
“Brisbane’s good is good. They play well at the Gabba - they beat West Coast up there earlier this year. They’ve still got some incredible talent … Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff, Simon Black, Daniel Rich and Jonathan Brown … if we go up there with fat heads looking for a holiday they’re really going to embarrass us.
“We’ll make sure we go up there with the right attitude and hopefully get the win.”
