Adelaide defender Tom Doedee is keen to have Luke Brown make his return, with the experienced backman almost certain to play against Carlton at Marvel Stadium this Sunday.
Brown missed Adelaide’s last two games due to lingering Achilles soreness but trained well and is set to be available for the battle against the Blues.
On Thursday, Doedee said he was pleased with how the back six had covered Brown’s absence but was looking forward to having his mate back out there.
“In terms of leadership, voice, composure and things like that, I think that’s where he comes in and helps,” Doedee said.
“The boys have come in and done a great job defensively, but his ability to take away a forward and do a pretty good job on them will be huge for us.
“Just having it in the back of my mind that Browny (Luke Brown) is there, if I get beaten out the back, he’ll come up and support.
“He’ll be huge to have back in.”
Doedee said it would take a four-quarter team effort to beat Carlton.
He was also eager to try and quell the influence of current Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay, who was topping the leaderboard with 41 goals behind second-placed Taylor Walker (37).
“I will endeavour to do that (keep McKay quiet),” Doedee said.
“I think Buttsy (Jordon Butts) will go to McKay early.
“But if I have to roll off and help him out and maybe feed the ball to Tex a little bit, I might see if I can poke a few through.
“Going into Marvel, potentially with the roof open, it’s going to be a pretty hot, contested game.
“With Carlton, the way we want to play against them, we’re going to have to emphasise that sort of intensity and contest.”
Adelaide's clash with Carlton has moved time slots due to Sydney's unfolding Covid-19 outbreak, with first bounce now at 3:40pm ACST (4:10pm AEST) on Sunday June 27.
The game will be broadcast in Adelaide on Channel 7 and nationally on Fox Footy.