ADELAIDE coach Don Pyke is confident his side can stem the tide of opposition inside 50s on Saturday against Gold Coast and in subsequent weeks, as the Crows look to cement their spot in the top eight.
They have lost three of their last four games to quality opposition in Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and Geelong, and over the past month have conceded 241 inside 50s, at an average of more than 60 a game.
Pyke was coy as to where he believed his side had gone wrong defensively but insisted he and his players knew where they had to improve.
"I think our best is there, thereabouts, but we've identified some areas where we have to improve in to compete consistently and regularly against the top teams," Pyke said.
"That's a work in progress.
"We've done a review of where and how [the inside 50 leaks] are coming from, and as I said, we've addressed – as a group – how we can rectify that.
"I'm not going to necessarily disclose what they are here … we'll see the results of that in the coming weeks."
Adelaide will fly up to the Gold Coast as hot favourites in Saturday's clash, although Pyke said he anticipated a switched-on Suns side.
He, like the rest of the football world, isn't expecting Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett to play, but said there were plenty of others who could cause the Crows issues.
"They've been a bit wounded and they've lost a few guys on the way through, but in terms of rating them, they've still got some high-end talent on the list," he said.
"We expect they're going to come and bring, at home, maximum effort.
"We'll prepare for that and make sure we play our style … with the aim of getting the result."
Pyke didn't rule out the possibility of offering midfielder Scott Thompson a rest soon after two lean weeks in a row from the veteran.
Thompson began season 2016 in sensational fashion, averaging almost 30 possessions a game in his opening six matches.
But in the Crows' past two losses to the Western Bulldogs and Geelong, he has managed just 16 and 20 disposals.
Pyke made it clear that if Thompson were rested at some stage soon, it wouldn't be on form, but on physical condition.
"I think three weeks ago I was being asked about Scott Thompson and how incredible it was he was durable playing best of career footy and now it's like the guy must be too old," he said.
"Let's put a bit of reality to it – he hasn't had the best couple of weeks, he'd be the first to admit that, but he's a proud and high-quality player and person and they're the sort of people you like to back in.
"With Thommo it's more [about] how's his body tracking, how's he feeling. We realise he's 33, so we're not dealing with a 23-year-old."
