Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says confronting his former AFL club Geelong is “no big deal”.

And Adelaide’s rookie coach says all his inside information about the Cats returns to a basic premise.

“There is no obvious weakness in that football club,” Sanderson said of his former club on Wednesday.

“Every position, they’re very strong.”

Sanderson enters the AAMI Stadium encounter against the Cats with long-time Geelong ally Darren Milburn in his corner as an assistant coach.

While conceding there was a “nice little bit of romance” attached to meeting their ex-club, Sanderson said the reunion wasn’t at the forefront of their minds.

“Dasher and I were there for 15 or 16 years and it becomes part of your life,” he said.

“And then you move on – things change.

“Dasher and I are both really attached now to this group of players and we have got a fantastic relationship with our players here.”

Sanderson was more focused on extending Adelaide’s surprise 5-1 start to the season against Geelong in a match brought forward to a 12.45pm (ACST) start to avoid a clash with Black Caviar’s race in the South Australian capital.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to knock off last year’s premiers,” he said.

“Whether Dasher and I were here or not, I know our boys would really get up for playing the side that has been the benchmark for so long in the competition.

“If we knew everything about them – you have still got to be at your best to beat them.”

Sanderson, who must replace suspended ruckman Shaun McKernan, also took issue with Adelaide’s free kick differential being the worst in the league.

The Crows’ coach has sought clarification with the umpiring department, but said his players were primarily responsible.