STOPPING Essendon's uncontested game on Saturday night will prove crucial if Adelaide is to finally string together two wins, says defender Luke Brown.
The Bombers are clearly the most prolific uncontested team in the competition, averaging 15 more uncontested possessions a game (267) than second-ranked Hawthorn (252).
Their 117 marks a game is also a League best, 21 more than Port Adelaide (96).
Brown said preventing Essendon's players from receiving easy possession would be his side's focus as it strived to win consecutive games for the first time since three-straight victories in rounds four to six.
"Stopping uncontested marks is the main thing we have to try and stop," Brown said.
"We're one game out of the eight, Essendon is around the mark as well so we're focusing really strongly on this game.
"They also go back hard in defence and try and get a plus-one so we have to work together as a team to try and get turnovers in their forward half and put a lot of pressure on.
"That'll go a long way in us getting the job done."
Brown, who has played 36 games since debuting in 2012, said the accelerated development of teammate Brodie Smith had encouraged a young Crows defensive unit.
Smith has proved one of Adelaide's very best in 2014, averaging 24 possessions a game – up from 19 a game last year.
"Brodie Smith's a year ahead of me and he's gone through the roof this year, he's playing really well," Brown said.
"And 'Jaenschy' (Matthew Jaensch) has been playing well as well.
"It just shows if you play consistent footy … you'll develop a bit quicker.
"Compared to last year I've got a lot more confidence and I've been playing a lot of consistent footy lately."
