Respect Eagles, says Crows coach
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson has warned his players not to underestimate West Coast today because they'll be risking their spot in the top eight if they under- perform.
The eighth-placed Crows have named their strongest team for the year while the Eagles are missing a host of big names.
Adelaide broke into the top eight last week after beating Collingwood at the MCG and Sanderson said recent upsets proved there was no such thing as an easy game.
"West Coast are a difficult side. Defensively they are one of the best sides in the competition," Sanderson said ahead of the clash at Adelaide Oval. "We've got to be at our best to beat them.
"You've seen across the competition, every round there's two or three games which don't go the way you would expect. We've got to certainly respect this game.
"We can't have any players arriving at this ground thinking anything but 100 per cent intensity, work rate and determination. We'll ensure we turn up ready to play."
Sanderson declared star on-baller Patrick Dangerfield a certain starter after he completed training despite hurting a knee against the Magpies.
Veteran Scott Thompson's hamstring problems will be monitored for the rest of the season but Sanderson said he had been cleared by club medics.
West Coast assistant coach Don Pyke was confident Luke Shuey had overcome his injured ankle and would play.
The Eagles bolstered their forward line this week by recalling Josh Hill and Jamie Cripps, while Jamie Bennell and Scott Lycett are also back in the team.
The Eagles are the sixth-best defensive team this year and have conceded an average of just 72 points from their past five games.
But their attack is ranked 11th and last week was the sixth time this season they weren't able to kick 10 goals.
Dean Cox travelled to Adelaide as the ruck coach despite being unavailable because of concussion, while Brad Sheppard (ankle), Ash Smith and Simon Tunbridge (both omitted) were the other players left out.
Pyke said players had to make the most of their opportunities late in the season.
"A lot of guys coming in are building their careers," he said.
"It's an opportunity for those guys to really stand up. Yeah, we're missing some players but the reality for us is we've got 22 going out tomorrow and we expect to get a win."
Sanderson said his players knew they had to play their role because competition for spots would be intense in the lead-up to finals.
"Defensively they are one of the best sides in the competition. We've got to be at our best …""Adelaide coach *Brenton Sanderson * on West Coast
