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The Crows 123
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DARREN Jarman will start but captain Mark Ricciuto is no certainty to see significant playing time against Carlton at Princes Park today.
That was the message from the Crows camp yesterday as they plotted a rare win against the Blues, who have classy wingman Scott Camporeale in doubt with a hamstring strain, in Melbourne.
Jarman, who will be playing his first AFL game for the season after recovering from a torn calf muscle, will start in attack where he will be asked to improve Adelaide's dismal goalkicking record this season.
''Jarman's a class player who uses the ball very well and we're obviously looking for more goals . . . that's his forte,'' coach Gary Ayres said. ''We're trying to get the right mix in the forward line so we can kick a very competitive score which, to date, we haven't been able to do.''
Doubt still hovers over Ricciuto's fitness with Ayres admitting extensive medical tests ''haven't really been conclusive one way or the other.''
He is expected to play but just how long he lasts is the burning question.
Ricciuto played just one quarter against Port Adelaide last week because of breathing problems and a racing heart.
He was cleared of serious illness during the week but the Crows are anxious to see how he stands up to the rigours of a game. ''How long he plays will be determined by how he feels,'' Ayres said. ''Last week we certainly didn't anticipate he wouldn't last more than just half a quarter.
''We've done all the tests and they haven't really been conclusive one way or the other so we hope it is just a bit of a virus that knocked him around. The way he trained on Wednesday would suggest that he's feeling a lot better within himself but we're going to have to monitor how he feels in a game situation.''
Adelaide trained without incident at the Junction Oval.
''Our boys know they've got a big job ahead of them and it's going to be up to them to take that on board,'' Ayres said.
''But all the talk in the world now means nothing. What we've got to be able to do is be very strong in our actions.''
That was the message from the Crows camp yesterday as they plotted a rare win against the Blues, who have classy wingman Scott Camporeale in doubt with a hamstring strain, in Melbourne.
Jarman, who will be playing his first AFL game for the season after recovering from a torn calf muscle, will start in attack where he will be asked to improve Adelaide's dismal goalkicking record this season.
''Jarman's a class player who uses the ball very well and we're obviously looking for more goals . . . that's his forte,'' coach Gary Ayres said. ''We're trying to get the right mix in the forward line so we can kick a very competitive score which, to date, we haven't been able to do.''
Doubt still hovers over Ricciuto's fitness with Ayres admitting extensive medical tests ''haven't really been conclusive one way or the other.''
He is expected to play but just how long he lasts is the burning question.
Ricciuto played just one quarter against Port Adelaide last week because of breathing problems and a racing heart.
He was cleared of serious illness during the week but the Crows are anxious to see how he stands up to the rigours of a game. ''How long he plays will be determined by how he feels,'' Ayres said. ''Last week we certainly didn't anticipate he wouldn't last more than just half a quarter.
''We've done all the tests and they haven't really been conclusive one way or the other so we hope it is just a bit of a virus that knocked him around. The way he trained on Wednesday would suggest that he's feeling a lot better within himself but we're going to have to monitor how he feels in a game situation.''
Adelaide trained without incident at the Junction Oval.
''Our boys know they've got a big job ahead of them and it's going to be up to them to take that on board,'' Ayres said.
''But all the talk in the world now means nothing. What we've got to be able to do is be very strong in our actions.''
