Crows unlikely to kick off on Good Friday

Last updated: June 21, 2014

ADELAIDE'S hope of opening next year's AFL premiership season - to coincide with the Crows' 25th season in the national league - is more likely to unfold on Maundy Thursday than Good Friday.

Our astronaut Andy retires from NASA

ADELAIDE'S Andy Thomas has retired to a Texas ranch after a stellar career as an astronaut that continues to inspire young South Australians to pursue their dreams.

The other Cannes festival

WE ALL know about the Cannes Film Festival with the beautiful movie stars and prestigious awards. But did you know there's a whole other Cannes festival?

Down the middle is the way to go, says Sanderson

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson says he will continue to encourage players to take risks despite stats showing Adelaide's better off playing it safe.

South Melbourne pub ahead of its time

REVIEW: O'CONNELL'S calls itself "the original gastronomic pub". I'm not able to verify the accuracy of that, but one thing's for sure: this is a corner hotel that sets the bar very high.

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Swans work hard to better Tigers

Last updated: June 21, 2014

IT was a torturous reminder of what could have been for Richmond.

Our astronaut Andy retires from NASA

ADELAIDE'S Andy Thomas has retired to a Texas ranch after a stellar career as an astronaut that continues to inspire young South Australians to pursue their dreams.

The other Cannes festival

WE ALL know about the Cannes Film Festival with the beautiful movie stars and prestigious awards. But did you know there's a whole other Cannes festival?

Down the middle is the way to go, says Sanderson

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson says he will continue to encourage players to take risks despite stats showing Adelaide's better off playing it safe.

South Melbourne pub ahead of its time

REVIEW: O'CONNELL'S calls itself "the original gastronomic pub". I'm not able to verify the accuracy of that, but one thing's for sure: this is a corner hotel that sets the bar very high.

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Hinkley focuses on Power’s defence

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is putting the focus on defence in the match against the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Picture: Morne de Klerk. Source: Getty Images

PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has dismissed talk of an honourable loss against Sydney last week and will bring a voracious defence into Saturday's match against Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval.

In such a winning, winning season, Hinkley said the loss had stung the side into closely monitor the way it defends opposition sides.

The bottom line is this: let the other team reach 100 points first and you are in serious trouble.

Port has been lauded by several commentators after its first half of the season but Hinkley would not buy into the sentiments of Port having put up a great effort against Sydney.

It is a sign of raised ambitions at Alberton and a return to not accepting being second best no matter how well the Swans are travelling.

"We lost,'' Hinkley said.

"That's not a great effort. A great effort is when you win.

"You don't accept great effort, I don't think, and we're not going to be a football club that does that.

"We respect the Sydney football club and how good they were going and are going but we went up there to win and we're not happy.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley addresses the media after his side's close loss to the Swans at the SCG.

"I think we know we need to defend better. That's the simple message. We conceded 98 points last week and if you concede 98 points most weeks you're going to get beat.

"It's almost an old saying: first to 100 wins. If you're going to let them get to 98 it's pretty close. So we need to defend better.

"The top sides, and I can only go on recent history ... the top sides are in the top four defensive sides of the competition. Sides that are able to defend the hardest and the longest.''

It has been the theme of the week: in training, meetings and attitude.

Hinkley believes the key to maintaining the top of the ladder position is to be the best defender in the game, as much as he loves the attacking and brave ways he brought with him from his time at Geelong.

"I just want us to play good, strong, defensive football and hopefully we'll be able to kick a score after that,'' Hinkley said.

"If we defend really hard, we'll be okay.''

Several players will require close attention at the Oval on Saturday. Hinkley's main threats are from the senior brigade, which was instrumental in upsetting Collingwood last week.

"(Ryan) Griffen's been a great player for them, and (Will) Minson in the ruck,'' Hinkley said. "They've got some great experience and they've got (Matthew) Boyd back into the team.

"They've got some real top-end talent experience players and they've brought in some really exciting young players. They're players that we really need to keep an eye on.''

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Down the middle is the way to go, says Sanderson

Adelaide will show no mercy when they clash with Essendon on Saturday, as both teams try to re-ignite their finals hopes.

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson says he will continue to encourage his defence to attack through the corridor despite statistics showing Adelaide has been more successful this season when it plays safe.

There's a clear trend emerging in the Crows' inconsistent year — in their wins they move the ball around the boundary more often but when they gamble and take the ball through the corridor they lose.

Sanderson wants his team to keep choosing the "high risk, high reward" option of carrying the ball through the middle of the ground because it's what the AFL's elite do.

Five of the teams who use the corridor the most - Geelong, Fremantle, Collingwood, Port and Sydney - sit inside the top six on the ladder.

The Crows are ranked third in centre corridor use but enter Saturday night's game against Essendon at Etihad Stadium in 10th spot because they've been badly punished by opposition sides when they turn the ball over in this part of the ground.

"We've turned the ball over in our defensive half almost more than any other side this year," Sanderson said.

"When we've played poorly and lost the opposition has turned the ball over in our defensive half ...

"(And) it's a short distance to go back to the opposition's goal to score."

So as Adelaide prepares for what could be a season-defining clash against the Bombers, Sanderson faces a classic "development v results" coaching decision.

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson believes in the "high-risk, high-reward" approach. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Does he cop the short-term turnover pain to fast track his team's development into a genuine top four threat?

Young defenders like Luke Brown and Rory Laird aren't going to develop into reliable long kicks if they never try them on game day.

Or does the desire to return to the top eight after a disappointing 2013 season take precedence and result in a more risk-averse game style?

"We still promote corridor. That for us is where we can create some better attacking play," Sanderson said.

"We would love a lot better ball use out of our D50.

"Smith, Reilly, Jaensch are good kicks, Laird and Brown are neat kicks (and) Otten, Talia - we're still working with those guys to ensure we're getting good ball use out of D50.

"It's an area we have to keep improving on for sure but we'll always still promote corridor ball use."

Staying aggressive when the pressure is on is a theme Sanderson - and his players - have promoted all season.

Essendon star Paul Chapman has decided to skip this weekend's crucial match with Adelaide in favour of a showdown with his former club Geelong a week later.

The Crows coach repeated the message yesterday, saying it was even more important this week against Bombers side which restricts forward entries better than any other team.

"When we're not going well we can't afford to go back into our shells," Sanderson said.

"We have to keep taking the game on, be bold, be brave, that's when we're playing our best footy ...

"Essendon's pressure is very good. They're the number one side in preventing inside 50s in the competition - they only give up 42 a week.

"We're going to have to be really on top of our game if we're going to beat this side."

PLAYING SAFE

Adelaide's use of the corridor from defence this season

Wins - 19.9%

Losses - 28.4%

R13 v Kangaroos - 17.2%

CORRIDOR KINGS

The AFL sides who play through the middle the most

Geelong - 38.5%

Fremantle - 35.7%

Adelaide - 33.1%

Collingwood - 32.9%

Port Adelaide - 31.5%

Sydney - 31.1%

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Hinkley wary of barking Dogs

Power coach Ken Hinkley says he's wary of the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Morne de Klerk Source: Getty Images

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley addresses the media after his side's close loss to the Swans at the SCG.

PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has called the Western Bulldogs a significant challenge and believes they are better than the reviews they received before they beat Collingwood last week.

Hinkley also dismissed suggestions he is resting Jarman Impey and played it safe by holding back Hamish Hartlett against the Western Bulldogs because it is a low-ranked side.

He said he has the highest respect for the Bulldogs, coached by fellow former Geelong assistant coach Brendan McCartney.

The selection calls had not been about keeping an eye on the following week. "No, not at all," Hinkley said. "That's not something I'll ever do. I'm interested in picking the best team this week and that's all I'll ever be interested in."

RUCCI: IS HISTORY OF 2004 PREMIERSHIP REPEATING?

Hinkley was also mindful of the Power's record against the Bulldogs as he prepared for training at Adelaide Oval on Friday morning.

Port has lost the past seven matches against the Footscray-based club and has not beaten them since 2006.

"Last week was a great reminder for us what they're capable of and knowing 'Macca' well I know he'll have them ready to play," Hinkley said.

"It will be a significant challenge.

"Their recent history against us is really strong. So we need to make sure we can turn that around."

The calls on Impey, Hartlett and former captain Dom Cassisi were in line with the club's no-risk policy.

Impey was in need of a spell because he is a younger player, Hartlett had rolled his ankle and Cassisi had a knee injury.

"We've said all year that we're not going to take risks and if we have players in risk categories — and that's where Jarman, Dom and Hamish fall — so if they fall in that bracket we're not going to take that risk," Hinkley said.

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No mercy for Bombers: Sando

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson addresses his team at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson fronts the media after his side's win over North Melbourne.

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson has urged his players to show their Essendon opponents no mercy this weekend, despite empathising with the Bombers players as they continue to deal with the drugs saga.

"Certainly you have to empathise with what the players are going through. I know it's a messy situation," Sanderson said.

"But it's difficult for us on the outside to comment because we don't really know what's happening.

"There won't be any mercy this week, for sure. This is our opponent and we need to win so we're going to go over there and do our very best to do that."

MORE: THE CROWS' BIG STEAL

The Saturday-night clash at Etihad is huge for both side's finals chances, with the winner a chance to move into the eight if Geelong defeats Gold Coast earlier in the day.

"It's a big opportunity for us, particularly when you play a side who is exactly where you are on the ladder too," Sanderson said.

"There's a few of us on the outside looking in — and we need a few results to go our way for the rest of the season as well — but all we can do is win games of footy and that's our objective."

Adelaide hasn't won consecutive games since Round 6 but Sanderson believes his team can back up last week's win against North Melbourne.

"We said it after the (Kangaroos) game, this has to end — the win, loss, win, loss," he said. "We'll give everything we've got."

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AFL ‘in the dark’ over doping charges

Last updated: June 20, 2014

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the league remains in the dark over the issuing of show-cause notices to Essendon players.

Panic Room: Pies may put Frost on ice

COLLINGWOOD'S hopes of stopping Hawthorn's gun forward line take a blow with Jack Frost a likely withdrawal. Plus Blues in doubt, likely subs and the best late SuperCoach mail.

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KANYE spoke his mind about Annie Leibovitz not shooting his wedding photograph. Then he decided to retract his comments. This is how it went down.

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Panic Room: Pies set to put Frost on ice

Last updated: June 20, 2014

NEED the best selection whispers and late SuperCoach and betting mail? Step into the Panic Room.

Panic Room: Pies may put Frost on ice

COLLINGWOOD'S hopes of stopping Hawthorn's gun forward line take a blow with Jack Frost a likely withdrawal. Plus Blues in doubt, likely subs and the best late SuperCoach mail.

Kanye backs down from wedding fight

KANYE spoke his mind about Annie Leibovitz not shooting his wedding photograph. Then he decided to retract his comments. This is how it went down.

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Port re-sign promising pair

Last updated: June 16, 2014

PORT Adelaide has shown faith in Aaron Young and Sam Colquhoun, retaining the rising duo until 2016 at Alberton.

Frances Abbott's rental battle gets readers talking

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Crouch struck with SANFL ban

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Don't ever microwave these things

THE microwave has been around for quite some time, but it is still a mystery to many of us. Here are 11 things that should never go into one.

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Thompson blasts selfish Bombers

Essendon coach Mark Thompson discusses the Bombers' last gasp defeat to Melbourne on Sunday evening.

Essendon coach Mark Thompson rues the Bombers' missed opportunities. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

ESSENDON coach Mark Thompson last night said the week's ASADA controversy was no excuse for his side's dramatic fade out, accusing his side of playing for themselves.

A furious Thompson gave his players a fearful spray for 45 minutes after their loss to Melbourne made them the first side in history to lose despite 33 more inside-50s.

The Dons lost by a point after at one stage being 33 points up, but he suggested his players were selfish in failing to adhere to his rigid game plan.

It came as Essendon forward David said the players "hate" that outsiders use the ongoing supplements scandal as an excuse for when the team performs poorly.

MATCH: Demons inflict more hurt on Dons

THE TACKLE: Stars prove their worth

SUPERCOACH: Studs and Duds — Round 13

Thompson's mantra has been about predictability, but said the Demons taught his side a lesson in playing to a basic plan.

"I don't think we stuck to the game plan for long enough tonight. If you don't stick to it you have got no chance, because you have got a whole group doing what they want. That's what happened tonight.

"Talk is cheap if you don't get out there on the weekend and just do it. I am not upset we lost, I am upset by the inconsistency, the way we go about games.

"I just said, "Stop doing this', because if you are serious in what we do, just do it properly. Something has to change."

Asked what was said during the meeting Zaharakis said: "Just that we've got to become a stronger club, (get) a stronger culture at the club and have more leaders out on the field."

Zaharakis said a dramatic week at the club should not be used as a reason as to why the team faded out of the match.

"Us as a footy club, when we go out to train and stuff, we don't think about it at all, it's not in our heads," he said.

"We actually hate that people use this as an excuse because us, as footy players, do not use it as an excuse and we want people to know that."

A dramatic prelude to the contest saw 34 of Thompson's players hit with show-cause notices from ASADA, but the senior coach said it was a cop-out to say his players were affected.

"I haven't talked about it. I don't think it should be a factor. We have lived with it for two years, it is just another week at the office, really.

"If you talk about it, people could use it as an excuse, but it's not an excuse in my eyes.

We have lived with this and it was a bit worse than other weeks, but we have been smashed for two years so it's not as if they came out today and couldn't play because of the week they have had. We can't accept that."

Zaharakis is not one of the 34 players issued with show-cause notices last week, but said the players had a no-excuse philosophy.

"That's not just coming from me, it's all the boys," he said. "We spoke about it during the week that we hate that people talk about it. We don't use it as an excuse and we don't want to use it as an excuse.

"We're here to play footy and when we lose it's because we're not playing good footy."

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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

Last updated: June 16, 2014

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.

Frances Abbott's rental battle gets readers talking

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Good Friday footy — who should play?

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Mills, Baynes soak up NBA glory

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Saskia Beer's smallgoods in strife

THE "Black Pig" smallgoods made by Saskia Beer's Barossa Farm Produce were not all made from the heritage or free range pigs that the company claimed, the ACCC has found.

At last, Messi gets them pumped up

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Crouch struck with SANFL ban

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