North Melbourne could recall key forward Jarrad Waite without a VFL run as they attempt the AFL’s mission impossible – stopping Adelaide.
Waite has been out of action with a shoulder injury since round one, when the key forward sprayed 1.7 in the loss to West Coast.
The Kangaroos will leave it until Friday to make the final call on Waite, the day before they host the Crows in Hobart.
Coach Brad Scott would have no trouble playing Waite, saying the forward has kept himself in good shape.
“We’re really hopeful we’ll get him back,” Scott said.
“The fortunate thing about his injury is he’s been doing a helluva lot of running and a helluva lot of ball work – his touch and fitness are really good.
“We’re confident that once he ticks the boxes in terms of contact, he’ll be ready to come back and play in the AFL.”
The Kangaroos have recalled Ryan Clarke, while Aaron Mullett is out with a hand fracture and Jy Simpkin was rested.
Adelaide, who are unchanged, are the only unbeaten team after six rounds and are on a rampage, averaging a whopping 20 goals per match.
The Kangaroos had their first win of the season last weekend when they took out a close match against Gold Coast.
“The challenge is a formidable one – the Crows have taken the competition by storm,” Scott said.
“They’re clearly the form team of the competition and the best team in the competition, both in the way they attack and the way they defend.
“They haven’t lost contested possession once this year, so they have pretty much all facets of the game covered at the moment.
“The opposition analysis this week has been pretty simple – it’s just showing the players all the areas that the Crows are really solid at, at the moment … and there are plenty of them.”
Crows onballer Rory Sloane was named the AFL’s player of the month for April, but Scott said it was not a simple matter of trying to tag him.
“Sloane’s probably the form midfielder of the competition, but he’s been doing some terrific jobs for Adelaide off the ball,” Scott said.
“So it’s not just what he does when he gets the ball in his hands; he’s been a really complete player this year, not just an offensive weapon.”