Crows’ second brigade pushes to the front

Despite their win over an out of sorts North Melbourne head coach Brenton Sanderson says he won't be satisfied until the Crows sort out their inconsistencies

ADELAIDE'S emerging leaders have joined the fight to help rid the Crows of the inconsistency which threatens to derail their season.

Describing Saturday night's clash with Essendon as the most important of Adelaide's roller-coaster year, defender Andy Otten said the club's second brigade of leaders had taken it upon themselves to step up.

"Our leadership group and the group under them are really trying to drive the standards,'' Otten said when asked how the erratic Crows could string consecutive wins together for the first time since round six.

"It's definitely player driven. We don't want to leave it up to Sando (coach Brenton Sanderson) every time to get us up for a game.

"It has to be player driven, right through the 46 players on our list.''

While official leaders - acting co-captains Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson, Richard Douglas, Taylor Walker and Sam Jacobs - have been trying to lead by example, Otten said the "group under them'' had upped the ante with their leadership.

They include Otten, Brodie Smith, David Mackay, Matthew Wright, Daniel Talia and James Podsiadly.

Adelaide Crows defender Andy Otten says it's up to the players to get fired up for each match. Picture: Sarah Reed.

"Especially during games,'' Otten said.

"During the week we try to help set the training standards and if we think something's not right we try to get on top of it early and not leave it to the coaches to do.

"And on game day we try to identity anything that's going wrong and then spread the message through the whole group.

"It happened a couple of times on the weekend (against North Melbourne) and we said 'let's go, we've got to keep taking the game on and be aggressive'.''

Adelaide (6-6) will at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night attempt to move ahead in the win-loss ledger for the first time this season.

Otten said the players were tired of the inconsistency which had cost it games and that the theme of the week was "backing up again'' after the 36-point home win against the Roos.

Adelaide defender Andy Otten says the Crows are working harder than ever to build some momentum in the coming weeks and end what has been an inconsistent run of form lately.

He said the players would take an aggressive attitude into the game, noting "that's when we play our best footy''.

"We've just got to be aggressive,'' Otten said, stressing the importance of a match against another finals contender.

"We've got to be physically aggressive at the ball and the ball carrier and play aggressive footy because when we become stagnant that's when we're in trouble.

"When teams come at us we can sometimes go into our shell and be a bit safe and we don't want to do that.

"We can't afford to play in spurts, we want to keep taking the game on and try to score quickly.''

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AFL backs Crows' push for Good Friday match

ADELAIDE'S push to open the 2015 AFL premiership season is stronger with the AFL Commission's ground-breaking backing for Good Friday football.

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AFL backs Crows’ push for Good Friday match

Join Gerard Healy, Mike Sheahan and Jason Dunstall to talk everything AFL.

ADELAIDE'S push to open the 2015 AFL premiership season is stronger with the AFL Commission's ground-breaking backing for Good Friday football.

The Crows will have a double-edged presentation on the 2015 fixture asking for the right to open the premiership season with either the league's first Good Friday game or a Maundy Thursday night match.

If the Crows miss out on Good Friday - with the AFL recognising North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs have been petitioning for this fixture for far longer than Adelaide - the Thursday night game leading into the Easter long weekend will satisfy.

The 2015 AFL premiership season will be delayed until April to avoid a clash with the cricket World Cup one-day championships in Australia and New Zealand.

This event could work in Adelaide's favour to open the AFL season for the third time in the Crows' 25-year story.

Adelaide Oval will be free of the cricket World Cup from March 15 - 20 days before Maundy Thursday on April 2 next year.

This is ample time for the ground staff at the Oval to dig out the drop-in pitches and convert the ground for Australian football.

Adelaide Crows CEO Steven Trigg, left, with Adelaide Oval's Andrew Daniels and Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas. Picture: Dave Cronin. Source: News Corp Australia

The MCG will not be free of cricket until Sunday, March 29 when the ground will host the Cup final. This leaves just four days to convert the MCG for a Good Friday history clash between the Kangaroos and Bulldogs.

Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg on Monday night noted the growing national appeal of the Oval may work in the Crows favour for Good Friday football.

"The AFL fixture is complicated next year by a lack of grounds being available with the cricket World Cup," Trigg told The Advertiser.

"But Adelaide Oval certainly will be available for Good Friday.

"And if the AFL recognises that a couple of clubs (North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs) have had their hands up for Good Friday football for a couple of years now, we will step forward for Thursday night football before Easter.

"That fits in with our wish to have Thursday night football at the Oval in the lead-up to a public holiday and long weekend. We will make that request."

Adelaide signalled its interest in Good Friday football in The Advertiser on April 7 when club chairman Rob Chapman noted the public push for the new timeslot. The Crows were not hit with a member backlash.

"Done responsibly - with the game played late in the day after families have honoured their religious and family commitments - Good Friday football can work," Trigg said.

The AFL Commission came up with the same conclusion on Monday.

In its first major decision since the departure of chief executive Andrew Demetriou - who opposed Good Friday football - the commission ruled a new Easter timeslot carries public approval.

"There has been a growing appetite to hold a game on this day and on balance we believe the time is right," AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said.

"AFL matches are scheduled on every other public holiday during the season and we know that many families want to be able to attend and or watch football together on that day."

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Crows must maintain rage: Otten

Adelaide forward Taylor Walker and North Melbourne's Scott Thompson fight for the ball at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Calum Robertson Source: News Corp Australia

Despite their win over an out of sorts North Melbourne head coach Brenton Sanderson says he won't be satisfied until the Crows sort out their inconsistencies

AGGRESSION will be the key to Adelaide ending its roller coaster form, according to defender Andy Otten.

The 6-6 Crows have the chance to move ahead in the win-loss ledger for the first time this season when they play Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night and Otten has put it on the players to take the opportunity after a year of missed chances.

MORE: CROWS' DESTINY IN THEIR OWN HANDS

"We have to get off this roller coaster, so that's our theme for this week," Otten said.

"Any team which is around you on the ladder you have to nail and we have to get a win this week and ahead of the win-loss ledger to push for the eight..

"So we've got to be aggressive and get a team effort right across the board.

"We have to be physical at the ball, win contested ball and back ourselves with our ball use.

"When teams come at us we can sometimes go into our shells and play safe but we don't want to do that.

"We've got to continue to be aggressive, continue to take the game and try to score quickly — be aggressive when we've got the ball and when they've got it to because this is a crucial game for us."

Otten said the players had taken it upon themselves to drive standards this week after a topsy turvy season where inconsistency has plagued the club.

But they remain in striking distance of the top eight after beating North Melbourne at home on Saturday night.

Adelaide could make one change for the clash with the Bombers with classy goal sneak Charlie Cameron a likely in if he can prove he has overcome groin soreness.

Brodie Martin — used as a sub against the Roos — could fall out of the side.

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Crouch struck with SANFL ban

Brad Crouch in action for the Crows in the SANFL. Picture: Sam Wundke Source: News Corp Australia

Despite their win over an out of sorts North Melbourne head coach Brenton Sanderson says he won't be satisfied until the Crows sort out their inconsistencies

GUN Adelaide midfielder Brad Crouch's return to AFL ranks has been put on hold after he was today offered a one-match ban for striking in the SANFL on Saturday.

Crouch — impressive in two games back after breaking his leg against Port Adelaide in round two — was suspended for striking Central District's Jacob Gillbee at Elizabeth Oval.

MORE: OTTEN SAYS CROWS MUST MAINTAIN RAGE

Crouch was involved in a second term incident which resulted in a bloodied Gillbee leaving the field.

The SANFL's Incident Review Panel deemed Crouch made high and intentional contact with low impact.

Adelaide has until 9am tomorrow to accept or challenge the verdict.

A club spokesman said it would discuss the incident with its player advocate late today.

A suspension would be a blow for last year's AFL Rising Star runner-up, who is close to AFL selection but, provided an appeal isn't upheld, will now be forced to spend another week on the sidelines.

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McLeod rates Eddie’s miracle goal a ‘one in 10’

Adelaide's Eddie Betts has kicked a goal worthy of goal of the year in the Crows' clash with North Melbourne.

IF ANDREW McLeod had to put a number on it, he'd guess the Eddie Betts goal was a one-in-10 shot.

"But give him another 10, I don't reckon he'd kick it," the dual Norm Smith Medallist and Hall of Famer grins.

"It was one of those ones you just put up there and hope for the best.

"I don't reckon he hit it quite right either - but he won't tell you that."

A week after Port Adelaide's Chad Wingard pulled down a mark of the year contender at Adelaide Oval, Betts nailed a goal of the year chance at the city venue with a curling checkside on the run from the best part of 50m midway through the opening quarter.

Replays showed the ball was perhaps beyond the boundary as Betts steadied to unload - but given it takes half-a-dozen TV angles to split goal-line decisions, we'll let this one slide.

It was Betts's first of three first-half goals that gave Adelaide the spark to set up a sixth victory and an even 6-6 win-loss record for the Crows.

But it was more than just the six points that Betts delivered. It was buzz. Hope. Belief.

That sense of confidence that convinces teammates they could pass wind and produce a rainbow.

Adelaide forward Eddie Betts celebrates with Matt Wright and Scott Thompson after his miracle goal from the boundary line. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Basically, everything that's been missing in Adelaide's misfiring 2014 season.

It was the same infectious joy that Betts shared with Taylor Walker when the spearhead - who frightened supporters when he limped off during the third quarter - booted his second goal early in the last.

Betts is the kind of bloke Supercoach scores can't track. AFL statisticians can record kicks, marks, tackles, score assists. But how do you measure the effect a stadium of 47,000 fans rising in anticipation everytime the fella in the bright orange boots gets near the ball?

You can't. So that goal, it might be a one-in-10 shot. Maybe more.

But just by going for it, by rolling the dice on that miracle goal, Betts will do his job every time.

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Crows respond with gutsy win over Kangaroos

Last updated: June 15, 2014

ADELAIDE'S on-and-off season is on again as the Crows levelled their record to 6-6 with a 36-point win against dangerous North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

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Live: Pies-Dogs underway, Cats thumping Saints

Former Essendon midfielder Mark McVeigh is seriously concerned about the welfare of his old teammates and believes it'll be 'nearly impossible' for them to perform against Melbourne tomorrow.

Harry Taylor and Nick Riewoldt will likely square off at Simonds Stadium. Source: News Limited

COLLINGWOOD will look to extend its winning streak to four matches when it hosts the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in the second of three Sunday AFL matches.

The Pies can cement their spot in the top four with a win over the Bulldogs, who are dwindling in 14th spot and facing intensifying scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Geelong hasn't let the late omission of Steve Johnson stop it from kicking away from St Kilda at Simonds Stadium, leading lead 16.11 (107) to 2.5 (17) at three quarter time.

FOR LIVE HQ COVERAGE AND SUPERCOACH SCORES CLICK ON THE SCORE CENTRE ABOVE OR HERE IF YOU ARE ON A MOBILE DEVICE

There were three withdrawals in the Geelong-St Kilda clash, with Johnson and Jared Rivers out for the Cats, while St Kilda has brought in Clint Jones for Terry Milera.

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Mav Weller kicked a goal for St Kilda just 16 seconds into the game, but it has been all Geelong since, with youngsters Mitch Duncan and Josh Walker booting three goals each.

Later today, Essendon, reeling from its off-field supplements saga, tries to puts that drama aside when it faces Melbourne at the MCG.

SUNDAY'S MATCHES (all times EST):

1.10pm — Geelong v St Kilda (Simonds Stadium)

3.20pm — Collingwood v Western Bulldogs (Etihad Stadium)

4.40pm — Essendon v Melbourne (MCG

Follow all the action and join in the conversation below:

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Koch: We’ll hang on to in-demand fitness guru

High performance manager Darren Burgess, left, with Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide chairman David Koch has revealed some of Italy's top soccer clubs and the NBA's Boston Celtics have attempted to poach the Power's high performance manager Darren Burgess.

And Koch, who insists Burgess is "under lock and key", is looking to take advantage of one of his club's most valuable assets by creating a "high performance contracting business".

Koch yesterday revealed further details about his club's plans to establish a centre for high performance coaches in South Australia at a business luncheon in Sydney.

Port will partner with the University of South Australia to develop coaches who can then take Burgess' training methods with them to other clubs.

"We'll be developing our own high performance coaches who will then go on to work with other sporting teams as consultants for us," Koch said.

"If you like we'll have a high performance contracting business ... Darren will develop the program and we'll have someone on the ground to do it for you."

Burgess has turned heads all over the world since returning to Port from English Premier League club Liverpool, transforming the Power into one of the fittest teams in the AFL.

"One of the things that really sets us apart as a club is we have a world-class high performance coach in Darren Burgess on our team," Koch said.

"The difference he's made to our club and the way we play footy — the way we just run and run and never give up — has been extraordinary ...

"Whether it be South Australian cricket or cycling or the Boston Celtics or the Italian premier league clubs which have all approached us ... basically to try and poach Darren ...

"We reckon this is a huge opportunity for us as a club. We reckon it will be a sensational export out of South Australia."

Another key point of Koch's address to a crowd of about 300 at The Ivy was his desire for the Power to not only play a preseason game in Hong Kong, but to become the first AFL club to play for premiership points in China.

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