Power Rankings: Why the Adelaide Crows can take a leaf out of the book of their 1997 heroes
THERE is a quote from Malcolm Blight in last week’s documentary on Adelaide’s 1997 flag that should reverberate with the current Crows because it has nothing to do with emotion, destiny, unity and whatever else is carrying them towards a premiership.
THERE is a quote from Malcolm Blight in last week’s documentary on Adelaide’s 1997 flag that should reverberate with the current Crows because it has nothing to do with emotion, destiny, unity and whatever else is carrying them towards a premiership.
It is about execution under pressure.
“You know the most amazing stat out of the game which no one ever talks about?” Blight said.
“In the second half of a grand final, the Adelaide Crows of 97 kicked 14 straight goals, there was only one point and it was rushed.
“Not one of those players missed, 14 straight.”
Like they did in the preliminary final cauldron on Friday night, the Crows must execute by hand and foot against Richmond on Saturday not just in front of goal but all over the ground.
Their execution was one of the first things Geelong coach Chris Scott noted post-match when he said Adelaide deserved to be in the grand final based on its season but there was more to it than that.
“They still had to get it done,” Scott said.
“And they executed extremely well, even if you wanted to break it down to their skill level ... how many goals did they kick from 45m out on the boundary line?
“It’s not luck, it’s a credit to their skill and the way they are coached.”
Adelaide kicked 21.10 against the Cats which equates to 67 per cent accuracy. Only twice have they kicked that well all season where their average has been 54 per cent.
Josh Jenkins (4.0), Eddie Betts (2.0), Taylor Walker (2.1) led the way and Charlie Cameron (5.1) followed suit.
As this column noted last week, Cameron either had to find his range in front of goal or give it to someone who could. He chose the first option and his five goals was a career-high in the biggest game of his life. Cameron’s goal-kicking accuracy was 48 per cent before the game and on Friday night he went at 83.
Adelaide’s disposal efficiency was also high with 76 per cent being up on their season average of 73.
Just like bad kicking is bad football, good kicking is good football and it’s possible that one of the biggest threats to Adelaide’s chances of winning Saturday’s grand final is wasted shots on goal.
Keep the door open for Richmond and the Tigers might just walk straight through it.
It sounds so simple because it is. Kick your goals like Nigel Smart did with his 50m set shot in the 97 grand final and it could be all over.
WEEK 3 FINALS RANKINGS
1. Adelaide
Previous ranking: 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1
Everything and almost everyone says Adelaide should win on the weekend. If only it was that easy.
There is no doubt the Crows have been the best team all season and the best team in finals but they have to be the best team for 120 minutes on Saturday otherwise it will all be for nothing.
The whisper is Mitch McGovern won’t play. Even if he proves his fitness will Adelaide be prepared to risk it? He’s a match-winner so it’s worth discussion.
The MCG is Richmond’s home ground but Adelaide has played the venue well in recent years with a 7-2-1 record at the home of football since 2014.
Then there is Dustin Martin who is already a headache in the midfield but he’s a full blown nightmare when he comes out of the goal square. Kyle Hartigan went to Patrick Dangerfield forward on Friday night so he could get the job on Martin.
Adelaide’s execution and pressure was elite on Friday night. Their smothering was immense - smothering even handballs - to cause turnovers then they had to finish it off which they did. Now can they do it again?
Last 5: WLLWW
Last 5 at the MCG: WWWWD
Last 5 against Richmond: LLWWW
2. Richmond
Previous ranking: 8, 5, 2, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, 10, 6, 5, 6, 6, 5, 7, 6, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 3, 2
The Tigers are into the grand final but they are going to need to go up a gear on their preliminary final win over the Giants to beat the Crows.
And they could be without their captain in Trent Cotchin if the MRP delivers a heartbreaking verdict on Monday.
But with or without Cotchin they’ve got to be at their absolute best to win.
The key questions are whether their kids can rise to the occasion. Jack Graham (4 games), Nathan Broad (11), Dan Butler (22) and Jason Castagna (29) are raw but Adelaide does have Hugh Greenwood (14), Jake Kelly (33) and Riley Knight (30).
They must shut down Rory Laird. Without Brodie Smith the Crows are already lacking some of their usual potency off half-back and if they can keep Laird quiet then someone else has to pick up an awful lot of slack. Laird had 34 touches when they met in Round 6.
The Tigers haven’t beaten Adelaide for three years and lost by 76 points in their only game this season albeit at Adelaide Oval.
Their score that day of 64 was their lowest for the season so they simply must find an avenue to goal because stopping the Crows from scoring is like trying to hold back a dam wall.
Last 5: LWWWW
Last 5 at the MCG: WWWWW
Last 5 against Adelaide: WWLLL
TIP: Adelaide by 32 points