Geelong playmaker Jimmy Bartel has been ruled out of Saturday’s AFL clash against Adelaide because of an ankle injury.
The Brownlow medallist was named in Geelong’s side, but the club said on Friday he wouldn’t play against the Crows at AAMI Stadium.
Bartel’s omission is a blow for the Cats as they confront an in-form Adelaide side sitting in fifth spot – one above Geelong – with five wins from six games.
Despite Adelaide’s healthy start, Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs has urged his teammates not to think about playing finals for the first time in three seasons.
“I don’t think we should even be looking at finals,” Jacobs told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.
“Especially where we were last year – we’re just focused on doing the things we are at the moment.
“We have got our key indicators and stuff like that say if we do them well, then we’re going to win games.
“But we know it’s only early in the year.”
The Crows won just seven games last year, but Jacobs cautioned against reading too much into their rapid recovery.
“We’re obviously sitting pretty well but we have had a good draw to start the year,” he said.
“And now we’re coming into another pretty challenging patch.
“I guess in another couple of months’ time we’ll know more about where we’re going to sit this year.
“We’re just focusing on the basics at the moment and as long as we’re doing them well, hopefully the results will look after themselves.”
But Jacobs said after downing Sydney at the SCG last weekend, claiming the scalp of reigning premier Geelong would be “massive” for the Crows.
“It’s important we put up another good showing this week, but we know how big a challenge it’s going to be,” he said.
“But there is a really good belief in the group at the moment, especially after last week’s win.”