Surprise packet Adelaide are hell-bent on proving last week’s slip isn’t the start of a major slide down the AFL ladder, Crows defender Ben Rutten says.

Adelaide’s upset loss to North Melbourne cost them top spot, instead falling to fifth.

But Rutten says Saturday’s home fixture against Richmond offers Adelaide a chance to redeem themselves.

“One loss can very quickly turn into two or three,” Rutten told reporters on Friday.

“It’s so important that we bounce back this week.”

The Crows landed a paltry four tackles on the Kangaroos last Sunday in the second term, and just six tackles in the last term – lowly figures which alarmed their coach Brenton Sanderson.

“We had some really poor numbers last week so it’s a really key indicator for us and all teams,” Rutten said of tackling.

“That is one of the areas we really need to improve on from last week.

“It’s a bit of an indication of how you’re getting at the footy and pressuring the opposition.

“Sometimes you look at it and you think `there is no pressure on the ball’ and teams can move it down the field uncontested and I suppose tackling is an extension of that.

“If you’re up in their face and giving them something to deal with, the tackles will come, so we just need to get back to doing that.”

Rutten expected to spend much of Saturday afternoon at AAMI Stadium trying to control Richmond’s dangerous attack spearhead Jack Riewoldt, who has kicked 33 goals for the year – the second most of anyone in the competition.

“He’s a great player and has been in some really good form,” Rutten said of Riewoldt.

“That pressure up the ground and our ability to get at the opposition will have a bit of a say in how I go.

“He is a great marker of the footy and he loves to get a good run and jump at it, and he’s really hard to stop if he’s allowed to do that.

“And his movement is really good as well so he’s a tough match-up.”

Rutten said the Crows were also wary of the midfield strength of Richmond, among five clubs with a six-six win-loss record entering round 14.