http://www.afc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4417/newsid/76348/default.aspx
Need to make a statement this game.
ADELAIDE onballer Brent Reilly has implored his teammates to “fight like hell” to win the ball against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday and restore some of the respect lost after last week’s sub-par Showdown performance.
Reilly, 25, was part of the Crows’ on-ball brigade that lost the clearances (42-22) and hit-outs (44-17) in the 26-point loss to Port Adelaide.
Reilly said he was confident Adelaide could reverse the trend against the talented Bulldogs’ midfield at home on Sunday.
“I know we can do it. We’ve done it all year and we had one little slip up against Port, which was very disappointing. We can go out there against the Bulldogs and really show everyone else how good we are,” Reilly said on Wednesday.
“We need to be more competitive in the ruck. Our ruck division were beaten quite convincingly against Port, but it’s up to the midfielders around the ball too.
“We can’t rely on our ruckmen to win every tap. We need to go out there, read the hand and fight like hell to make a contest.”
Coach Neil Craig has so far resisted using proven veterans Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards and Andrew McLeod in long stints in the midfield this season.
Reilly said the club would persist with blooding its next generation, which includes the likes of Bernie Vince, David Mackay, Patrick Dangerfield and Richard Douglas.
“We’ve got some good, young midfielders coming through. At times you’ve got to put your Tyson Edwards and Simon Goodwin in there (the midfield) just to show the way, but you don’t want to fall back on them all the time,” Reilly said.
Reilly, who had his arm broken against the Dogs in round one last year, will be hoping for a more memorable outing in his 100th game this week.
The Victorian was selected by the Crows with pick No.12 in the 2001 NAB AFL Draft, but spent the best part of his first two years in Adelaide out injured, or playing with SANFL club Sturt.
Reilly became a regular in the Crows’ side in 2005 and 2006, but has struggled with injury over the past two seasons.
Last year he was left out of the team to take on Collingwood in the elimination final.
Reilly, who contemplated a return home to Victoria in the early days, said it would be a big thrill to finally play his 100th AFL game.
“It’s been a long journey, but I’m really proud of myself that I’ve got to 100 games,” he said.
“I’ve still got a lot to prove to Craigy and the coaches, but I’m heading in the right direction.”
Need to make a statement this game.





