COACH Simon Goodwin says the club is right behind its partnership with the Northern Territory and expects this Saturday night’s clash with the Adelaide Crows at TIO Stadium to be a significant test.
Speaking at AAMI Park on Thursday, before flying up to the Top End, Goodwin said the club was “really happy with our sponsorship in the Northern Territory”.
“We’ve been going up there for a period of time now and we feel like it is our home ground and we feel like it is an advantage for us to go away and perform in the Northern Territory,” he said.
“We understand the facilities, we understand the oval and the conditions and we think it’s a really good advantage for us.
“When you’re building a club and becoming a better team, the results turn with it. For the first time we won in Alice, earlier in the season, and we won up in Darwin last year, so we’re starting to get some momentum when we’re playing in the Northern Territory.
“That comes with building a strong footy club and a better footy team.”
Goodwin said taking on the Crows – after defeating them by 41 points at the Adelaide Oval in round eight – would be a different proposition this time around.
“It was certainly a really important game for us and I think that was the game where the club actually got a lot of belief, playing that way,” he said.
“Clearly, we know Adelaide is a very good side. They’re top of the ladder for a reason and they play some really good footy and they execute the fundamentals extremely well.
“We’re under no illusions of what we’re up against this week and the way we’re going to have to play in Darwin.”
Goodwin confirmed that Bernie Vince would run with Adelaide star Rory Sloane again, and backed Clayton Oliver to continue his strong form after copping some media attention after an exchange with a Carlton fan last round.
“He (Vince) did a really good job last time and I’m just looking forward to the challenge again and he’ll get that challenge again,” he said.
“Clayton’s a really competitive person. He’s still working on controlling his emotions, but that’s the thing that we love about Clayton – he’s so competitive. That’s why he’s been able to play at the level that he has been over a short period of time in his career.
“Clearly he’s got some things that he’s got to work on and we support that and he understands that. And he’s got a responsibility to continue working on that and grow and develop, and become the player we all want him to become.”
Goodwin said former co-captain Jack Trengove remained on the cusp of selection.
“Trenners is in the mix and he probably won’t play this week, but he’s getting closer and closer all of the time,” he said.
“I thought his game on the weekend in the VFL was very strong and he’s just got to continue that strong form week in, week out.
“He is improving and he is getting a lot closer.”
Meanwhile, Goodwin lauded retiring Hawthorn great Luke Hodge as “one of the best players I’ve seen”.
“He’s just a great leader. He inspires his teammates and his communication and his willingness to lift in big moments in big games is something that’s a full credit to him – week in, week out,” he said.
“It will be one that will be recognised for many years to come.”
