Brenton Sanderson will return to the home ground of his former club tonight to take on Geelong in Thursday night football – the Adelaide Crows looking to make amends for a disappointing 2013 season.
Geelong will enter tonight’s game as favourites, however if both sides want to make the finals in 2014, these are the games that they will have to win.
Adelaide failed to make the finals in 2013, a huge step down from finishing third the year before and missing out on a grand final by a goal.
The injury to Taylor Walker against Carlton midway through last season acted as the turning point for the Crows season as they struggled to find any real potency up forward with Tom Lynch (33) their top goal-kicker.
In October and November of 2013 and the Crows looked for experience in the free agency and trade periods. They moved Bernie Vince to Melbourne for pick 23 before grabbing James Podsiadly from Geelong, adding valuable experience to an under-performing forward line.
Then on the 4th of October, after days of speculation, Eddie Betts signed as a restricted free agent from Carlton, adding more depth.
It was clear that this was an area in which Adelaide needed to develop and this was supported by their trades and recruiting.
On draft day, Adelaide had to wait until pick 23 to gain the services of Matt Crouch – the much talked about brother of Brad.
Matt, who played most of his footy for North Ballarat, was then followed by Saint Peters College old scholar and local Adelaide boy Riley Knight at pick 46.
Adelaide had again recruited two midfielders in this draft after picking up Brad Crouch the previous year.
The new look NAB Challenge provided two practice matches for the Crows against the Power and the Blues.
Eddie Betts kicked a bag in a strong win against the Power, and their trip to Etihad resulted in another good win.
Finally, a practice match win against Greater Western Sydney in Blacktown left many of the Crows boys sore, providing more issues than positives.
So now the Crows are in Geelong and keen to get back on the field.
Taylor Walker may not be playing but James Podsiadly and Eddie Betts will provide both the skills and experience to help their struggling forward line.
As a midfield, Adelaide are very solid and at times underrated. Dangerfield, Thompson, Sloane and Jacobs are crucial in the middle of the ground and the explosive pace and precision of Dangerfield makes him a Brownlow chance in 2014.
Considering the midfield players that both sides possess, this clash looks set to be cracking battle.
Joel Selwood will play for the Cats and their ever impressive and consistent midfield will be fascinating to watch as they come up against the skilful yet dogged Adelaide ball winners.
However, the defence of Adelaide versus the forward line of Geelong will be vital in the outcome of the match.
Many of the Adelaide defenders pulled up sore after the GWS game as Adelaide struggled majorly with injury issues.
A massive game is in store for the football public at Simonds Stadium tonight.
The Cats go in as deserved favourites due to the home ground advantage and the problems Adelaide face in defence.
However, the Crows are up to show the football world that they can bring back their 2012 form, and leave a disappointing 2013 behind.
Geelong to win, but not by much.
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