Adelaide Crows coach Don Pyke says its time to turn page on angst of 2017 grand final
DON Pyke has backed Josh Jenkins to turn the page on Adelaide’s 2017 final heartache and dodge Essendon’s speed trap in Friday night’s season opener at Etihad Stadium.
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DON Pyke has backed Josh Jenkins to turn the page on Adelaide’s 2017 final heartache and dodge Essendon’s speed trap in Friday night’s season opener at Etihad Stadium.
The Crows hand feel good debuts of No.12 draft pick Darcy Fogarty and Tom Doedee as they draw a line under the fall out of an upset grand final defeat against Richmond.
Legend Robert Walls this week opened the wounds of Adelaide’s September downfall. Carlton premiership coach Walls labelled Pyke’s men sooks while noting Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins “failed miserably” against the Tigers.
Walker is sidelined with a left plantar fascia strain and Brad Crouch is facing a two month recovery from a groin compliant but Jenkins will face the music against the Bombers.
“It is important for him to bring that level as a tall forward and impact the game as we require. Those are the conversations we have,” said Crows coach Pyke of Jenkins.
“We are working with all our guys.”
Jenkins went goalless in the 2017 decider and attracted seven touches but wasn’t Adelaide’s only passenger
Power forward Jenkins is a perennial fall guy for any Crows failure and a quiet pre-season has the natives restless. Pyke said Jenkins understood the importance of imposing his 199cm, 103kg frame in a Crows unit without Walker.
“He is aware of the areas he needs to continue to improve, be more consistent in and gets an opportunity to showcase what he is capable of doing,” said Pyke told Triple M.
“I am excited to see what he can produce.”
Adelaide will miss Brad Crouch but Pyke said Eddie Betts would figure in midfield rotations after a bumper pre-season.
“He has the cheeky smile on his face and looking forward to getting into it,” said Pyke.
“He has had a great off season and taken the next step with his running which gives us a bit more flexibility to play him upfield.
“He will probably be more dangerous down forward given he has more in the tank.”
Accused of dummy spitting during Jake Lever’s acrimonious post grand final exit, first up success blooding forward Fogarty, defender Doedee and glamour recruit Bryce Gibbs would sideline purveyors of negativity circling Adelaide.
“It is always exciting when you tell a man he is about to play his first game,” said Pyke with former basketballer Doedee waiting three years to debut.
“It’s great for Darcy and we saw through the JLT the kind of player we hoped Tom would be when we drafted him.
“The guys get out to play for real, it’s the best time of the year.”
The Bombers have lost their last four games against Adelaide by an average of 76 points but play a high octane game at Etihad laced with slick, coast to coast ball movement. Gun arrivals Devon Smith, Jake Stringer and Adam Saad deliver a layer of class the Bombers missed in an elimination final humiliation against Sydney last September.
Mark Baguley could shadow Betts with Ben McNiece straining a hamstring.
“They have strength on every line. They bring in Stringer and Smith and you go forward there’s Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker as talls, Anthony Tipungwuti and Josh Green on the deck who are dangerous,” noted Pyke, demanding kicking efficiency and contested possession against the Bombers.
“Down back there’s Hurley and Saad along with Conor McKenna. In the midfield they have Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett.
“They have talent so it will be a good challenge.”
QUOTE
It’s no good whingeing and moaning and sulking, which I reckon they’ve done a little bit.
Robart Walls on Adelaide’s reaction to its grand final loss against Richmond
MEDICAL ROOM
ESSENDON
Dave Myers Calf 1 week
Patrick Ambrose Wrist indefinite
Martin Gleeson Ankle 16 weeks
Travis Colyer Foot indefinite
Jayden Laverde Hamstring indefinite
Orazio Fantasia Knee 3 weeks
ADELAIDE
Alex Keath Ankle 1 week
Taylor Walker Foot 1 week
Riley Knight Ankle 3-4 weeks
Brad Crouch Groin Soreness 6-8 weeks
Andrew McPherson Groin Soreness TBC
Brodie Smith Knee indefinite
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