AGGRESSION will be the focus at Adelaide this week, with players priming themselves to attack the ball carrier and the game against Essendon next Saturday.
The Crows continued their alternating win-loss season with a 36-point victory over North Melbourne last Saturday, which was set up with a four-goal-to-one first term.
After the side's mindset was questioned by acting co-captain Rory Sloane ahead of the match, defender Andy Otten said its ferocity at both man and ball would be crucial to get the jump on the Bombers at Etihad Stadium.
"We've just got to be aggressive, I think when we show we're physically aggressive at the ball carrier and putting pressure on the ball it makes the backs' job easier and then we get good forward-half turnovers," Otten said.
“We pride ourselves on our contested ball and backing ourselves in with our ball use as well.
"When teams come at us we can sometimes go into our shell and be a bit safe, but we don't want to do that, we want to keep taking the game on and scoring quickly."
Adelaide's win against the Kangaroos continued its win-loss trend and Otten said he and his teammates were sick of their fluctuating form.
Coach Brenton Sanderson didn't allow his players time to simply enjoy the win last Saturday night, instead deciding to immediately address the group about the importance of replicating the performance.
The Crows have been unable to score consecutive wins since three in a row from rounds three to six.
"We spoke about it straight after the game that we have to move on very quickly and get off this rollercoaster," Otten said.
"We're not happy with it … especially away from home it seems we can't put together four quarters so that's our theme for this week.
"You can't pat yourselves on the back for too long, you've look to next week and the same after a loss, you've got to review it quickly and move on."
Saturday's game carries extra importance given the ladder position of both Adelaide and Essendon, equal on six wins and just four points from eighth-placed Gold Coast.
The victorious team will slip into the eight should the Suns lose to Geelong on Saturday afternoon.
"Any team that's around you on the ladder you have to nail, we did that on the weekend against North Melbourne, this week against Essendon and next week we've got the big Showdown," Otten said.
"It's a really important block for us and we have to get ahead in this win-loss ledger and make sure we get into the eight."
