THE KEY to Adelaide managing its lack of height in defence will be its work up the field, according to midfielder David Mackay.

 

While Daniel Talia gained All Australian selection at full-back last year the rest of the club's key defensive stocks are spread thin.

 

Inexperienced defender Kyle Hartigan is set to take on increased responsibility in the wake of Ben Rutten's retirement, while key forward James Podsiadly will likely spend more time in defence.

 

Draftee Jake Lever has genuine promise but is likely to need a couple of seasons to develop first.

 

It's by far the side's most vulnerable area and it was exposed by Geelong last Thursday night when tall forward Mitch Clark booted a game-winning six goals.

 

Mackay said his side would have to consistently ensure opposition sides weren't afforded the time to pick out potential miss-matches in attack.

 

"It's very much a team defence thing and that's probably what the issue was [last Thursday] more so than individual match-ups," Mackay said.

 

"At times we defended well as a team and at times we didn't – when we didn't we got exposed and they were able to kick it tot heir tall forwards one out.

 

"Which is not ideal for us."

 

Mackay strained a hamstring in January, which acted as a speed bump late in his pre-season.

 

He successfully got through his first game of the year against the Cats, although was quiet with just six disposals.

 

The timing of the 26-year-old's hamstring injury meant he had already trained for the bulk of the summer and he said his fitness was where it needed to be in the lead-up to round one.

 

"[My] body's really good, obviously played first game back on the weekend and felt really good," he said.

 

"I've done heaps of work and a lot of training and … [I've'] really been managed well in preparation to run out a full season and be as fit as we can.

 

"I have a lot of confidence in the way that we've trained and personally I'm no different."