Adelaide Crows vow to cash in on unprecedented block of AFL games at Adelaide Oval

PAUL Seedsman says Adelaide must cash in on an unprecedented block of games at Adelaide Oval, starting with Gold Coast on Saturday.

Paul Seedsman celebrates a goal with teammate Bryce Gibbs during Adelaide’s upset win against Sydney at the SCG. Picture: David Moir (AAP)

PAUL Seedsman says Adelaide must cash in on an unprecedented block of games at Adelaide Oval, starting with Gold Coast on Saturday.

While hometown rival Port Adelaide plays just one of its next five matches in Adelaide, the Crows have four consecutive games at their home ground, which has proved a fortress in recent years.

They play four clubs ranked eighth or lower — the Suns, Carlton, Power and the Western Bulldogs — and don’t play interstate again until round 10 against Melbourne in Alice Springs on May 27.

“We have a pretty good record at Adelaide Oval and want to win every time we step out there,’’ said the in-form Seedsman, who was a standout in the upset win against Sydney at the SCG on Friday when the Crows fielded an understrength team because of injury.

“We can’t look past Gold Coast this week but playing four games (in a row) there, hopefully we can set ourselves up.’’

Adelaide has won 28 of its past 34 games at the Oval.

Its previous best run of matches at the ground was three in rounds 22 and 23 and the elimination final in 2016.

Currently sitting seventh with a 3-2 record, the Crows’ unique fixture gives them every chance to consolidate their spot in the top eight and push into the top four while carrying a lengthy injury list that includes ace midfielders Rory Sloane and Matt and Brad Crouch and star small forward Eddie Betts.

Sloane (foot) is a chance to return against the Suns.

Seedsman said beaten grand finalist Adelaide had proved plenty against the Swans after a disappointing home loss to Collingwood the previous week.

“There was a fair bit of talk about who wasn’t playing for us but we were just looking at who was playing,’’ he said.

“We back in our structures and the way we play and think we can get it done with the 22 that run out there each week and that’s what we were able to do.

Paul Seedsman doing some drills with junior members at the Crows annual member's day on Monday. Picture: DYLAN COKER

“The result showed that we have depth, that the game plan holds up when blokes come in and play a role against a quality side like Sydney and that the resilience and culture at this club is pretty special.’’

Former Magpie Seedsman, who is in the form of his life after overcoming career-threatening groin injuries last year, said the Crows would not fall into the trap of underestimating Gold Coast, which has a surprising 3-2 record.

“As we saw from the Collingwood to Sydney games, things can turn around pretty quickly so we must make sure we come out on the front foot and attack Gold Coast,’’ he said.

“The way we played last week, everyone had that little bit of fire in the belly wanting to just show that it (the poor Magpies performance) was an anomaly, a one-off, and we were able to do that, which was good.

“But the challenge now is to show up and play our way again.’’

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