Adelaide Crows keen to take down Bulldogs ‘superstars’
The Western Bulldogs have got “superstars everywhere”, but Adelaide are backing themselves to pull off an upset in Sunday’s AFL clash at Adelaide Oval.
The Crows were touted as a serious finals contender heading into 2024, but their 7-12-1 record means they will spend a seventh-straighth season in the wilderness.
It’s a different story for the Bulldogs, who have won six of their past seven games to shoot into calculations for a top-four berth.
The move of Rory Lobb into defence has been a masterstroke, while skipper Marcus Bontempelli is in career-best touch and a chance to win this year’s Brownlow medal.
Although the Bulldogs are hot favourites to beat Adelaide, the Crows have proven their capabilities of pulling off big upsets.
Adelaide have beaten Carlton, Port Adelaide, GWS and Essendon this year and came close to downing Collingwood, Brisbane and Geelong.
Crows defender Max Michalanney has been impressed by the Bulldogs’ form, but he’s confident Adelaide have what it takes to pull off the win.
“The Doggies are flying at the moment, so it’s going to be a good challenge for us,” Michalanney told reporters on Saturday.
“If you look across their whole team, they’ve got superstars everywhere.
“We’re going into the game pretty confident that we’ve also got the personnel to match that.
“Hopefully we’ll beat them in the contest and get the win.”
Sunday’s match marks Adelaide’s last home game of the season given they will be the ‘away’ team against Port next week, before finishing their campaign against Sydney at the SCG.
Adelaide are keen to send their fans off with a smile.
“The Crows fans have stuck with us throughout the whole season,” Michalanney said.
“Unfortunately we haven’t given them the wins they wanted.
“Hopefully in the last home game we can get the win for them and give them something to cheer about.”
Michalanney is a defender by trade but has enjoyed his recent stints in the midfield.
It means he’s a chance to come face-to-face with Bontempelli on Sunday.
“I’m open to anything the coaches want to throw at me,” Michalanney replied when asked about whether he’d like to play on Bontempelli.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time in the midfield.
“I’ve played most of my footy down back, so at the moment I’m more comfortable down there.
“But hopefully after another big pre-season I’ll be able to play a bit more in the midfield next year.”
Bontempelli has been named to play despite injuring his ankle at training during the week.
The Crows welcome back Izak Rankine from his four-match suspension.
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