ADELAIDE defender Michael Doughty's performance on Fremantle livewire Hayden Ballantyne is likely to earn him the role of trying to quell Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli in Saturday's preliminary final against Hawthorn.
 
Doughty restricted Ballantyne to one goal during Adelaide's victory over Fremantle in their semi-final at AAMI Stadium last Friday.

He kept Rioli to two goals and 10 disposals during the Crows' most recent game against Hawthorn, in round three this year.

Adelaide defender Brent Reilly said the job on Rioli is important because the small forward is a barometer of Hawthorn's performance.
 
"Whoever gets the job on him has to do an outstanding job because he's a sensational player," Reilly said.
 
"Dogga (Doughty) played on him (Rioli) last time and did a pretty good job.
 
"Dogga did an outstanding job on Ballantyne, so I'm sure he will be the man putting his hand up."
 
Reilly laughed that he was unlikely to get the job because he's too slow.
 
"I need to get on the blokes who are a bit slower and a bit closer to my ability," he said.
 
Doughty 32, has announced that he will retire when the Crows' finals campaign has ended.