FREMANTLE skipper Matthew Pavlich shaped as the most important player on the field in Friday night's semi-final between Adelaide and Fremantle.

After a dominant finish to the home and away season, and six goals in a best-on-ground display against Geelong last week, Pavlich was the man Adelaide had to stop.

Up stepped veteran defender Ben Rutten.

Crows Coach Brenton Sanderson said he "put it on" Rutten to stop Fremantle's inspirational captain and the former All Australian did it in fine fashion.

The 'Pav' was restricted to just one goal and 10 touches, while Rutten managed 11 of his own.

"He very rarely got beaten in a one-on-one contest ... we obviously put it on him within the group that we needed a special effort from him and we saw what 'Pav' did to Geelong last week," Sanderson said.

"For Rutten to keep him to a goal and low possessions was just a fantastic effort."

Rutten will face an even bigger challenge next Saturday, when the Crows face Hawthorn in a preliminary final at the MCG.

A likely match-up against Lance Franklin awaits Rutten and Sanderson conceded the side would enter the match as huge underdogs.

"We'll certainly have to be at our best next week [against] Hawthorn, with the week off in Melbourne, we'll certainly be the underdogs," he said.

"But we'll certainly go over there really confident after our second half tonight."

It was retribution for Rutten, who was made the villain in 2009's semi-final against Collingwood, when he held Magpie Jack Anthony and gave away a free kick late in the final quarter.

Anthony slotted the goal and ended Adelaide's premiership hopes.

Rutten's efforts against Fremantle were even more meritorious after fellow key defender Daniel Talia broke his arm against the Sydney Swans, ruling him out of the Pavlich match-up.

While heaping praise on Rutten's individual performance, Sanderson was quick to point out he received great help from Adelaide's midfield.

After they were comprehensively beaten by the Swans last week, the Crows' engine room stepped it up a notch on Friday.

Scott Thompson had 27 disposals, Bernie Vince 24 and Richard Douglas 23.

"He'll (Rutten) be the first to admit that he got great help from up the field," Sanderson said.

"There were times when the ball was just a quick kick forward or was rushed forward, I don't think we allowed Fremantle as much time or space (as they had against Geelong) to hit Pavlich.

"This team plays so much better when we play as a team ... when we just got into that zone and that role of just playing your role for the team we were certainly much better."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon dismissed suggestions Pavlich was hampered by an achilles injury, claiming that as soon as he crossed the white line he was fit to go.

Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.