Hugh Greenwood: Simple footy now name of game for Adelaide Crows
After a slow start to 2109, Adelaide tore down its complicated setups against Gold Coast and worried about two key points. The Crows now hope it will put them in good stead against the Saints.
Crows
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crows. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Bickley: How Crows rediscovered high-scoring ways
- Axed Jenkins reveals: ‘I was pretty dirty’
- Lowdown podcast: Greenwood’s nerves
- Milera dodges surgery — for now
Adelaide utility Hugh Greenwood believes it has been simplicity that has revived the Crows’ season and they will stick to a couple of key points as they confront St Kilda’s pressure style on the weekend.
Greenwood, who spent the first four weeks in the SANFL, said Adelaide had narrowed its focus rather than go on a wide search ahead of the win against the Gold Coast in crowd favourite Eddie Betts’ 300th game.
And it would stick to a similar approach against the Saints.
“We were really critical the two weeks prior of our contest stuff — contest and loss of field position,” Greenwood said. “No matter who you are it’s difficult to transition the ball from deep in your defensive 50 and get it into your forward 50.
“So we just focused on really simple stuff — forward half turnovers and just our contest stuff.
“We just focused on something so small but it helped us.
“It gave our forwards more of a chance and we were all on the same page.
“We came out of Gold Coast with a lot of positives but having said that there are obviously things that we’ll continue to work on.
“But we just focused on those little things.”
But Greenwood expected the heat to be up against the improved Saints, who have been noted for their intense pressure on the ball carrier.
Adelaide was rattled by that sort of intensity against Hawthorn and Geelong and had spoken about ways to combat the Saints pressure.
“We just sat down with our ‘oppo’ scout for St Kilda and highlighted that their pressure and forward half turnovers are at a really high level.
“Obviously we’ve struggled (with that) but we trained it last week with our pressure, fighting pressure with pressure, and we saw last week what happened when we go forward and just attacked the game.
“But against St Kilda we’re going to have to bring it up another level again.”
Greenwood, who can play a range of roles, expected to spend most of his time in he forward line again, where his attack will be crucial in locking the ball in the club’s forward line.
He was not fussed; Greenwood, who struggled with an abdominal injury during the pre-season, is happy just to get a kick.
“I’ve always been a that sort of a utility but I just wanted to get in the side,” Greenwood said. “I was happy to put my hand up playing forward, playing mid, but obviously wit the guys we’ve got going through the midfield now it’s tough to get a spot (there). “
One notable sight at training on Anzac Day was Paul Seedsman running laps only weeks after it was feared he had ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament and would miss the entire season.
Round 1 lock? Verdict on every new face at Crows, Power
It was a big off-season for both South Australian clubs. But a few months on, which new faces have really made their mark? Get the intel and verdict on every draftee and recruit.
Neal-Bullen firming for leadership role at Crows
Adelaide’s oldest recruit in seven years has already become a mentor at West Lakes. Here’s why the man known as Nibbler is likely to sink his teeth into an official leadership role.