Crows leave too much to too few

Ben Rutten tries to shake Jay Schulz. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

CROWS full back Ben Rutten says there is only way for Adelaide to get out of its rut - by having more players pull their weight.

Adelaide's troubled start turned sour on Sunday with a nine-point loss to Port Adelaide in Showdown XXXIV exposing more problems in the Crows' game. This was Adelaide's second loss in two games at AAMI Stadium this year.

"We're not playing the way we want to play," Rutten said today as Adelaide started its post-mortem after handing the Showdown trophy back to a rejuvenated Power.

"Yesterday we were beaten in a fair few areas - we were pretty poor in winning the ball and around the contest. Port spread harder than us as well. That's not a good combination."

Captain Nathan van Berlo and Ben Rutten deep in conversation after the loss. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

As Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says he has to start the review with himself, the Adelaide players acknowledge they have to return to their ways of 2012 rather than rely on being carried by midfielders Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield.

"We have to strip it right back," Rutten said. "We need more guys playing well - that was our strength last year when we would often have 22 contributors. This year we have too many guys who are not playing to a standard we are accustomed to."

Adelaide's team selection for the home clash against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday is subject to Sanderson's view on many of his players, the report on Bernie Vince for charging Power forward Chad Wingard and the recovery of captain Nathan van Berlo after he took a knock to his knee in the derby.
 

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