‘Sore and tired’ Adelaide Crows co-captain Taylor Walker declares his fitness for Showdown 46
A “pretty sore” Crows co-captain Taylor Walker has declared himself a certain starter for Showdown 46 while joking that Port has an “unfair” advantage in the battle of the 4-3 teams.
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A “pretty sore’’ Crows co-captain Taylor Walker has declared himself a certain starter for Showdown 46 on Saturday while joking that Port Adelaide has an “unfair’’ advantage in the battle of two 4-3 teams.
Walker — the leading goalkicker in Showdowns with 39 — admitted he was “sore and a little bit tired’’ after playing in what he described as one of the most physically taxing games he has endured against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval on Sunday night.
He and his Adelaide teammates have just six days between games to prepare for the derby while the Power has eight, having lost to Collingwood last Friday night.
“I’m good to play, just generally sore,’’ said Walker, who appeared to be running on the spot late in the Crows’ low-scoring 17-point triumph against the Dockers which propelled them into the top eight for the first time this season.
“It’s a bit unfair (that Port has two extra days break) but it won’t matter because there’s that much physical performance that goes into things.
“We’ll recover really well and will be a little bit lighter (on the track) this week.’’
Power co-captain Ollie Wines said his team should be fresher because of its extended break but wasn't sure whether it would be a big advantage.
“With any extra days break you’re obviously going to be fresher but I think you get to a point after five or six days where you are probably feeling as good as you can,’’ he said.
“I think it’s only when you have a four or five-day break, which happens only for a couple of teams in Anzac Round, where it is a bit detrimental to the next week but in terms of the six to eight-day break it’s not too much difference.’’
While Walker has confirmed his fitness, Port is still sweating on the availability of its co-captain Tom Jonas, who has missed consecutive games with a calf strain.
“My guess is as good as yours at this stage,’’ Wines said to Walker.
“We’ll see how he goes this week but I think he has been running pretty well.’’
The Crows lead Showdowns 23-22 after last year’s two matches were decided by a combined eight points.
The Power won Showdown 44 by five points with a last-gasp goal from Steven Motlop.
Adelaide won Showdown 45 by three points following a controversial late goal from Josh Jenkins.
The teams enter this contest with identical 4-3 records.
The Crows, who have won three consecutive games after a stuttering 1-3 start to the year, sit sixth.
Port, which lost to Collingwood by 39 points, is seventh.
“These games are always finals-like football and gives our players a little taste of what finals footy is like,’’ Walker said.
“We expect it to be close again.’’
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