Adelaide Crows set sights on winning inaugural AFLX tournament at Hindmarsh Stadium

RORY Atkins says the Crows are in the AFLX tournament to win it.

X-TRAVAGANZA: Port Adelaide’s Sam Gray and Karl Amon and Adelaide’s Rory Atkins and Jordan Galucci with entertainers promoting the new AFLX tournament at Hindmarsh Stadium. Picture: Roy Vandervegt (AAP).

RORY Atkins says the Crows are in it to win it.

While Adelaide will field a young team in the inaugural AFLX tournament next week, wingman Atkins declared there would be no holding back when it plays Collingwood and West Coast before a possible grand final appearance at Hindmarsh Stadium.

“We’re playing to win,’’ said Atkins, who is a confirmed Crows starter along with second-year midfielder Jordan Gallucci.

“It’s an AFL game and whenever you put on this (Crows) jumper you play to win, so that’s what we will be doing.

“We're not taking it as an exhibition tournament or match, it’s football and so we’ll be out to play well.’’

While hometown rival Port Adelaide has confirmed star midfielder Robbie Gray and ace recruit Jack Watts will play in the Thursday night tournament, Adelaide is expecting to go young.

“I think we’ll take in a younger-type side to give some players some experience,’’ said the highly-rated Gallucci, who played one AFL match in his first season at the club.

Atkins said the fast-style games will be “a good opportunity for those who do play to build some form’’.

“They are playing against AFL players and it’s a level that they need to compete at so it’s a great opportunity for the guys who play to put their hand up and start the year in some good form,’’ he said.

Atkins has trained for the rapid-fire AFLX matches, which comprise 10-minute halves separated by a two-minute break on a shortened field.

Squad sizes were yesterday increased from 14 to 20 players to allow clubs more flexibility.

Ten players can be used by each side for any game but only seven are allowed on the field at one time.

“It’s a really exciting concept and the games will be fast and a great spectacle for the fans,’’ Atkins said.

“It will suit players that can keep the ball on body because a turnover will really hurt you.

“It will make you take care of your possessions more and there will be a few quick blokes who take off and really open the game up.

“With each club having only seven guys on the field there will be nowhere to hide.’’

Three round-robin tournaments will be held from February 15-17 with games in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

The winners of each pool advance to a grand final in each city. The AFL is hoping for a crowd of at least 10,000 for its Hindmarsh Stadium extravaganza.