Crows’ reputation for showing adversity has its toughest on-field test as Adelaide falls behind in race to AFL finals

CROWS key forward Josh Jenkins notes Adelaide has faced greater challenges than its current battle to stay in the AFL finals race - and overcome all obstacles by showing resilience

Dockers Alex Pearce (left) and Joel Hamling stunned after a tackle with Adel;aide’s Josh Jenkins at Optus Stadium in Perth. Picure: Richard Wainwright/AAP

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ADELAIDE’S proud image of the “resilient” Crows faces its greatest on-field challenge of the past decade as Don Pyke’s team falls away in the race to September’s AFL finals.

Key forward Josh Jenkins expects this test of character to be won in the same way the Crows overcame the off-field hits with draft sanctions and the death of 2015 senior coach Phil Walsh.

“We’ve had many things thrown at us - much harder things than this,” said Jenkins as the savaged Crows prepare to return to the MCG for the first time since last year’s grand final loss.

“We’ve shown resilience over a number of different challenges - so we do have it in us (to make a late charge to September).

“But it is one thing to know it is there - and another thing to act on it ... or understand what needs to change.”

Adelaide has tumbled to three consecutive losses for the first time in Pyke’s three seasons at West Lakes. At 6-6 - and 10th - the Crows must beat Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday to salvage credibility before entering the mid-season bye next week.

Adelaide’s three-point loss to an inexperienced Fremantle at Perth Stadium on Sunday night has exposed the Crows to serious questions about its preparation for the AFL premiership season after pushing the physical and mental boundaries in the summer.

“We are delicately balanced at the moment,” said Jenkins of Adelaide’s positioning in the battle to reach the AFL top eight for the fourth consecutive year.

“No-one would claim we are playing anywhere near what we’ve shown we are capable of. So we have to arrest that (slide) - and real quick.”

With an injury list that has distorted the Adelaide midfield and attack for much of the first half of the season, the Crows are now dealing with hits to their defenders - the latest being reliable back man Luke Brown (left ankle).

Adelaide’s Josh Jenkins has his mark spoiled by Fremantle’s Alex Pearce. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty

Crows Josh Jenkins celebrates a goal against Fremantle. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty

Jenkins notes that test of resilience challenges the Adelaide players to find the spirit that drove the Crows to defy many recent off-field blows.

“We’ve just got to get some spirit, some buzz, some energy - that will be the driver for us this week,” Jenkins said.

Pyke notes his team has taken heavy blows to its confidence, a point not lost on Jenkins.

“We’re not making the game easy for each other at the moment,” Jenkins said. “There were so many moments in the fourth quarter (against the Dockers) when opportunities for an extra handball, a knock-on, a kick to someone in a better position for an easier shot on goal ... (were overlooked).

“That (team work) was one of our greatest strengths last year. At times, the game felt easy because we brought our team-mates into the game. We made it easier for each other.

“If there was one thing I’d suggest (for change), I’d love us to fix that quick smart.”

Adelaide will hope there is relief from the injury list with successful returns to training from link forward Tom Lynch (ribs) and All-Australian defender Rory Laird (broken hand).

Jenkins dismisses the doomsday prophets who forecast Adelaide missing the finals with a tough nine-game fixture after the bye. The finals equation demands the Crows win seven of its remaining 10 matches, starting with Saturday’s battle with the 11th-placed Hawks, another team seeking a way to September.

“We understand what is at stake (against Hawthorn),” Jenkins said. “We have to get a different result (to the performances shown against Melbourne, Greater Western Sydney and Fremantle in the past three weeks.”

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