Mark Ricciuto says Adelaide can make the AFL finals after inspirational upset of Geelong

WHY Adelaide great Mark Ricciuto says Don Pyke’s men can beat the odds and a path to September.

Emboldened by a signature win against Geelong, Adelaide great Mark Ricciuto says Don Pyke’s men can beat the odds and a path to September.

Adelaide, in 11th spot and game out side of the eight with an inferior 98.2 per cent percentage, can’t put a foot wrong over the remaining six minor round games.

A 15-point upset of the Cats last Thursday night gave Adelaide a mathematical chance of reaching the finals.

The Crows were super charged by Rory Sloane’s five-year contract commitment and 17-contested possession display while the forward line was reinvigorated by Eddie Betts and Lachy Murphy. Rory Laird (43 possessions) and four-goal link-man Tom Lynch did the heavy lifting.

“They looked better on paper and carried it out into the game. The inclusion of Betts and Murphy to put some forward line pressure and Rory Atkins and Riley Knight into the midfield

to give some much needed speed and grunt,” said Ricciuto.

The Cats are clinging to eighth spot on percentage ahead of North Melbourne and Hawthorn, all on 36 points after losses which keep the Crows in the hunt.

“I thought they played pretty well against a good side in Geelong and if the can continue to have the pressure they applied on Thursday night I think they can go pretty close to making the finals,” said Ricciuto.

“They are going to have to win five of their last six so are going to have to do most things right, there is no doubt about it.

“They haven’t been able to be consistent all year. It is going to have to be a significant change in form and consistency to make it and it starts against Brisbane this Saturday night in Brisbane which is always tricky.”

The Lions have enjoyed their first, three-game winning streak for five years after humbling the Hawks in Launceston.

Adelaide’s Gabba mission is now more formidable with the Lions in form and skipper Taylor Walker incurring a one-match ban for a bump on Geelong’s Zach Tuohy.

“Brisbane has won three in a row and been quite good so they need to get over the first hurdle this week without Tex who has been rubbed out for a head high bump on Zac Tuohy.

“Is it too late? we will have to wait and see.”