Matthew Richardson says Adelaide is better placed to win a flag in 2018 than last year
RICHMOND great Matthew Richardson believes Adelaide is placed even better for a tilt at the premiership this season with the Crows’ injury curse promising to deliver a silver lining.
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RICHMOND great Matthew Richardson believes Adelaide is placed even better for a tilt at the premiership this season with the Crows’ injury curse promising to deliver a silver lining.
Adelaide has been winning despite missing as many as nine first-choice players with stars on the sidelines including captain Taylor Walker, vice-captain Rory Sloane, club champion Matt Crouch and fellow midfielder Brad Crouch.
Richardson, who is now a respected commentator on Channel 7, has been super impressed with the way the Crows have continued to find a way to win despite having an unprecedented injury list and said it was a promising sign for later in the year.
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Not only will the added opportunities of younger and fringe players add to the depth of the team, it also means there will be fierce competition for spots when the senior players return from their injuries in the build-up to September.
“I think they’ve done remarkably well with the amount of talent they’ve had out of the team,” Richardson told the Sunday Mail. “It shows you the depth of their list.
“And if anything, when they get everybody back and available they’re going to have more depth because guys have stepped up, like (Hugh) Greenwood and (Cam) Ellis-Yolmen.
“Those guys are better players now because the other guys have been out injured.
“They’ve had to step up and they’re going really well.
“If anything, they’re better placed than perhaps last year, with all these guys — if they can get them all back.”
The Crows will have a stern test against Melbourne at Alice Springs on Sunday but have three important inclusions in Matt Crouch, Luke Brown and Wayne Milera, who all return from the injury list.
There is also the added spice about playing former teammate Jake Lever for the first time after the defender left the club after last year’s grand final loss.
Adelaide is fourth on the ladder, one position behind Melbourne, trailing on percentage with both teams having notched up six wins and three losses.
After the first nine rounds last year the Crows had seven wins and two losses after opening the season with six straight wins.
Adelaide is on the fourth line of betting with Ladbrokes at $7 behind Richmond ($4), Sydney ($6) and West Coast ($7).
Melbourne, which will start favourite against the Crows, is listed at $13.
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