No mercy for Bombers: Sando

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson addresses his team at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson fronts the media after his side's win over North Melbourne.

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson has urged his players to show their Essendon opponents no mercy this weekend, despite empathising with the Bombers players as they continue to deal with the drugs saga.

"Certainly you have to empathise with what the players are going through. I know it's a messy situation," Sanderson said.

"But it's difficult for us on the outside to comment because we don't really know what's happening.

"There won't be any mercy this week, for sure. This is our opponent and we need to win so we're going to go over there and do our very best to do that."

MORE: THE CROWS' BIG STEAL

The Saturday-night clash at Etihad is huge for both side's finals chances, with the winner a chance to move into the eight if Geelong defeats Gold Coast earlier in the day.

"It's a big opportunity for us, particularly when you play a side who is exactly where you are on the ladder too," Sanderson said.

"There's a few of us on the outside looking in — and we need a few results to go our way for the rest of the season as well — but all we can do is win games of footy and that's our objective."

Adelaide hasn't won consecutive games since Round 6 but Sanderson believes his team can back up last week's win against North Melbourne.

"We said it after the (Kangaroos) game, this has to end — the win, loss, win, loss," he said. "We'll give everything we've got."