Adelaide Crows call on leaders to stand up under the heat of battle

ADELAIDE faces a stern test against Sydney on Friday night and needs its leaders to respond, according to assistant coach Josh Francou.

Adelaide captain Taylor Walker battles for the ball against Collingwood’s Lynden Dunn during the Crows’ round four loss at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sam Wundke (AAP).

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ADELAIDE — off to its worst start since 2014 — has called on its leaders and senior players to stand up against battle-hardened Sydney at the SCG on Friday night.

Smashed at home against Collingwood in the upset of the year last Friday, Crows assistant coach Josh Francou says an honest coach-player review session on Sunday illustrated that Adelaide simply wasn’t tough enough against the Magpies.

“And we need to respond,’’ said Francou, who will for the first time in the coaching box be opposed to the club where he spent four years as a development and assistant coach.

“We were really poor in the contest (against Collingwood). That was clearly evident on review and it’s an area that we addressed on Sunday and are hoping for a response this week.’’

Captain Taylor Walker has been publicly put under the blowtorch, particularly by Power great Kane Cornes, for not standing up in the big moments of games that aren’t going the Crows’ way.

Francou said Walker and the rest of the club's on-field leaders, including vice-captain Rory Sloane and fellow leadership members Tom Lynch and Matt Crouch, who is sidelined by a hamstring injury, needed to show the way for their teammates.

“When a side’s under siege or the opposition brings heat, which you’d expect week-in, week-out because that’s the nature of the game, I think it’s up to every individual to respond,’’ he said.

“But ultimately you are looking at your leaders to set an example and fly the flag in that space. That’s an area we’re looking to improve come Friday night.’’

Last year’s beaten grand finalist, whose 2-2 win-loss record to start the season is its worst since starting 1-3 in 2014, is battered and bruised with key players sidelined and others, like Walker and Sloane (feet) playing hurt.

But Francou said the club should not use injuries as an excuse for its erratic start.

“It’s a tough, contact sport and I guess the game throws that (injuries) at clubs at various times,” Francou said.

“We’re not looking for excuses as far as personnel being out, absolutely not, we get back to that contest phase and the ability to compete at the level that’s required.

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to bring the mentality and the right frame of mind when they are playing this game, which is a really tough, brutal game week-in, week-out.

“You’ve got to bring your best and if you don’t you get exposed and stung like we did against Collingwood.’’

Taylor Walker has been copping heat for not standing up in big moments of games.

Adelaide will call on Francou’s intimate knowledge of Sydney this week but he indicated there’s no secret to beating it.

“They love the contest and pride themselves on defence,’’ he said.

“We were poor in those areas last week so what a great challenge it is for us to play Sydney on their home deck this week.’’

Forward Mitch McGovern, who copped a heavy hit to the jaw against the Pies, has been cleared to play the Swans but All-Australian goalsneak Eddie Betts (tight hamstring) and midfielder David Mackay, who has been concussed twice in three weeks, are in doubt.