Adelaide Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs, left, is fit to take on Dockers giant Aaron Sandilands on Sunday. Source: News Limited
ADELAIDE is planning a "Sandi raid'' at the House of Pain on Sunday.
Despite expecting his sore lead ruckman Sam Jacobs to play against the Dockers, Crows coach Brenton Sanderson has spent the week formulating a plan to steal giant Aaron Sandilands' hit-outs, believing it will be crucial in his club's chances of pulling off an upset.
"He (Sandilands) is the No. 1 hit-out player this year, so we'll have to be at our best at ground level,'' Sanderson said.
"Sauce (Jacobs)_will still win his fair share of hit-outs, but we have to understand this will be a week where we'll be sharking Sandilands' hit-outs as well."
In what shapes as a mouth-watering clash, 211cm Docker Sandilands ranks No. 1 in the competition for hit-outs (409) and hit-outs to advantage (115).
Jacobs — 9cm shorter at 202cm — ranks fourth for hit-outs (308) and third for hit-outs to advantage (93).
Jacobs has had to fight off deep-seated hip bruising — courtesy of friendly fire from teammate Patrick Dangerfield's knee — to be named in the Adelaide line-up.
Fremantle are confident that Nathan Fyfe will be fit to play against the Crows despite being on crutches after their win over the Bulldogs.
Sanderson expects him to get through a light training session this morning, board the plane to Perth this afternoon and play tomorrow after he breezed through training on Friday.
"He looks good," Sanderson said.
"He got through the full session, so I can't see any reason why he won't play.
"We had a 40-minute session and he didn't look restricted. He did some ruckwork and some controlled contact, so it looks like he'll be fine.
"But we'll see how he pulls up (on Saturday) before we set off.''
Sanderson described Sandilands as a "unique'' ruckman because of his size and said it's impossible to stop him from winning his share of hit-outs.
"Obviously we're coming up against a really good ruckman in Sandilands, who's really important for them,'' Sanderson said, revealing much of his team's planning had revolved around watching vision of his ruck work.
"He is a unique ruckman in that he's nearly 10 centimetres taller than the next tallest ruckman he ever plays against, so it will be important to have him (Jacobs).
"The midfield is where I think this game will be won and lost.''
While Jacobs will have his hands full with Sandilands, ace on-baller Patrick Dangerfield is expected to have to deal with the hard tag of the Docker "glove'', Ryan Crowley.
In contrast, the Crows are expected to use Sam Kerridge to clamp down on Nathan Fyfe or Stephen Hill.
"They've got a great midfield with Fye, (David) Mundy, (Michael) Barlow and Hill, so there are plenty of options for them at ground level as well,'' Sanderson said.
"It's shaping up as a really mouth-watering contest with our midfield against their midfield.''
Sanderson said star forward Taylor Walker — back in form with five goals against the Suns last week — is not in doubt for tomorrow's clash, despite nursing a sore calf during the week.
"Tex is fine," Sanderson said.
"He had a corky in his calf, but that's nothing out of the ordinary for most players. He'll certainly play."
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