Rival clubs have put the handbrake on Adelaide by exposing its backline run

Adelaide coach Don Pyke needs to address the club’s game plan as AFL clubs start to copy Hawthorn and Geelong’s shutdown tactics, writes Warren Tredrea.

Rory Laird of the Crows tries to foil Geelong’s Sam Menegola. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

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If you take away Adelaide’s space you deny them their greatest weapon – speed on the ball.

It’s the grim reality facing Don Pyke’s coaching department as they attempt to kickstart their once lauded quick ball movement after a poor start to 2019.

They’re clearly on notice, and their rivals possess the blueprint of how to beat them.

Slow Adelaide down and deny them space - that’s the key to beating the Crows.

And when they have the ball pressure the life out of them.

It takes a very disciplined team to beat Adelaide and Hawthorn and Geelong are that.

Adelaide’s coaching staff Don Pyke, Michael Godden (far left), Brett Burton and Matt Haas leave the oval after losing to Hawthorn in the AFL opener. Picture Sarah Reed

A quick turn-around won’t be easy, with so many players well below their best.

Forward of centre, their once lauded forward line appears unwilling to nullify one-on-one contests when the ball isn’t kicked perfectly to them.

Their midfield can’t generate enough consistent pressure on the opposition and too many players are winning junk possessions with little influence.

But it’s behind the ball that’s hurting Adelaide the most.

Over the past four years Adelaide’s defensive end has been rock-solid, in 2019 they’re off the pace.

Injuries have hurt, none bigger than the loss of their best intercept defender Tom Doedee.

The new 6-6-6 starting positions are having an effect, with good decision makers and effective kicks Wayne Milera, Brodie Smith and Rory Laird having to be more accountable than ever before. And instead of getting the ball with time and space they regularly find themselves under pressure.

Of the three, reigning best and fairest winner Rory Laird appears the most out of touch and right now he’s facing his biggest challenge in his 124-game career.

Laird’s a star and that’s why clubs are targeting him as a key to beating Adelaide. If you limit his influence, you can topple the Crows.

Geelong’s Tim Kelly tackles Adelaide’s Rory Laird ig the round three clash at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty

It’s a huge compliment, but something he will have to work hard on to get over.

While Adelaide’s midfield continues to be spasmodic, their defence is coming under more pressure - their back six must be more accountable.

Talia, Keath and Hartigan are the lock down defenders, while Milera, Smith and Laird are the ball users. At present they’re all having to defend isolated one-on-one with little aerial support from each other. And for half of their defence “defending” doesn’t come naturally, as they’d much rather run off and win uncontested ball with little regard for their opponent.

Clubs are refusing to let the three ball-using defenders do as they please, clearly evident in the clubs two losses in 2019.

Against Geelong Chris Scott assigned both Luke Dahlhaus and Tom Atkins to vital defensive roles in pressuring Adelaide’s half back line and when they had the ball they highlighted Adelaide’s inability to defend.

There was no greater example of this than in the first quarter when Tom Atkins followed the balls trajectory and launched himself into marking contest inside 50 while his opponent Rory Laird chose to sweat off for the easy possession – it didn’t come, Atkins took a brilliant contested mark and went back and kicked a goal.

Defending requires any player to go when it’s their turn no matter your role in the team - Laird didn’t go and cost his team a goal.

Over the past three seasons Rory Laird has taken the football world by storm averaging 27, 29 and 32 highly effective disposals per game - so far in 2019 he’s averaging 8 disposals less per game (24 per game) and his effectives is well down.

Last Thursday night he struggled, winning only one possession in the first quarter – and while he finished the night with 24 disposals (12 kicks and 12 handballs), of his 12 kicks only 6 hit a target.

With the blue print of how the beat the Crows becoming common knowledge, Adelaide must be preparing for what lies ahead in 2019.

Opposition clubs will continue to bring pressure on the footy, like we saw from Hawthorn and Geelong.

Adelaide have two choices, you can put your head down, work hard and rise to the challenge or keep relenting to the pressure and watch season 2019 slip away – it’s over to you.