Crows’ premiership star Rod Jameson says Adelaide has firepower to quell Geelong and Patrick Dangerfield
ADELAIDE will have a plan to counter Geelong’s tactic of using superstar midfielder Patrick Dangerfield at full forward, says Crows’ flag winner Rod Jameson
ROD Jameson says Adelaide won’t be quaking at a full-blown forward assault or retribution from old flame Patrick Dangerfield in Friday’s preliminary final against Geelong.
Dangerfield staged a matchwinning, four-goal, semi-final ambush of Sydney at the MCG on Friday night.
Adelaide boss Don Pyke will maintain faith in his structure regardless of Dangerfield starting in attack or regular midfield role.
“I think Adelaide would back itself in, probably Kyle Hartigan would take him if he is going to go deep. We would keep our structure, let it unfold,” said 1997 Crows premiership full back Jameson.
Hartigan collected nine intercept possessions mainly opposed to Port Adelaide’s mercurial Robbie Gray in Showdown 42. Hartigan has a stellar support cast should Cats boss Chris Scott go to the well again with former Crow Dangerfield inside 50.
“I thought Hartigan played well in the Showdown in April when he picked up Robbie Gray, can play tall or small and might not be the quickest but has some speed.,” Jameson said.
“Daniel Talia, Paul Seedsman, Rory Laird and Luke Brown can come across. Sam Jacobs does what he can.”
Dangerfield booted five goals against Hawthorn in round 17 when troubled by a foot injury before restricted to a goal floating between midfield and attack in a 21-point, round 18 loss to Adelaide.
Brownlow Medallist Dangerfield became the spearhead on Friday night against Sydnety when Harry Taylor was forced back to defence by gastro victim Tom Lonergan’s absence.
“If Sydney had got on top in the middle Geelong would have had to move him back. Obviously Adelaide knows what he is capable of, very aware of it,” said Jameson, also an ABC radio expert.
The Crows aren’t perturbed by blowback from Josh Jenkins’ pre-match stirring of good mate Dangerfield or notions of ammunition, outdated in the professional age.
“Times have changed. Social media has a massive influence, sometimes we do ask our players to be mindful what they say and how they say it,” said Jameson, appointed to Adelaide’s board in 2015. “Sometimes people read a bit more into than what there is.”
Adelaide boasts 2017 All Australians from front to back in Matt Crouch, Eddie Betts and Rory Laird, with quality to quell the Cats says Jameson.
“Adelaide has the firepower, capability to defend and depth in its midfield so Adelaide should win,” said Jameson with Taylor Walker, Betts, Jenkins and Tom Lynch combining for 172 goals this season.
Poor starts have cost Adelaide in defeat this season and the minor premier must be switched on from the outset against the Cats.
Adelaide will be “rejuvenated” rather than rusty following a two-week break that included a Gold Coast sabbatical insists Jameson.
“The blokes just had three days of salt water and probably would have liked another day or two. They are like race horses, the club knows how hard they need to run them and comfortable they will be right,” said Jameson.