Minor premiers Sydney are a daunting prospect for Adelaide but at least the SCG holds no fears for the Crows when they take on the Swans in their sudden-death semi-final.
John Longmire’s men are licking their wounds after an upset loss to Greater Western Sydney and will be desperate to atone for the uncharacteristic performance in front of their home fans on Saturday night.
But Adelaide, who demolished North Melbourne in their elimination final, will be no pushovers having won four of their past five encounters against the Swans at the ground.
“I think we take confidence in the fact there is six teams left, no matter where the venue now, it’s game on,” Crows forward Tom Lynch said.
“Every game for us in this finals series is an elimination final.
“I know the boys have pulled up pretty well and we’re eager to get over there and get a result.”
Adelaide escaped unscathed from their 62-point thumping of North, although defender Kyle Hartigan was reported for tripping Lindsay Thomas.
Sydney are counting the cost of their 36-point loss, the club confirming on Sunday Kurt Tippett (jaw) and Callum Mills (hamstring) won’t play this week.
The Crows have advanced to the second week of the finals for the second year running.
Eventual premiers Hawthorn handed them a humbling 74-point defeat in last season’s semi-final and Lynch said his team is keen to atone.
“We were in this position last year – we win our first final and we weren’t able to deliver in our second one,” he said.
“The boys are really keen to change that.
“(But) we know it’s going to be a real fight.”
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