GEELONG coach Mark 'Bomber' Thompson says Adelaide has talked the talk this week and the Cats are prepared to overcome whatever Neil Craig’s men throw at them at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

Thompson acknowledged the Crows were “a very accountable team” but said his men were in ideal shape for the second half of the season and ready to counter whatever the home side can muster against the competition’s in-form side.

“I’ve heard in the papers this week that they’re going to try to jump on us and out-tackle us and play like Collingwood played [against us],” Thompson said before flying out to Adelaide on Thursday morning.

“Well, you know, we’re ready for that.

“We have to overcome those sorts of teams that we play against and that’s why it’s such a great test.”

Thompson said his team “had a huge amount of respect” for Adeaide and expected a revved-up Crows team who, after two losses, would be desperate to win in front of a packed AAMI Stadium.

“Look, they’re a really disciplined team and they’ve played some really competitive football this year,” Thompson said.

“Unfortunately they’ve lost their last two and the Hawthorn game was a beauty, so it’s going to be a really tough game.”

Thompson said the Cats could make up to three changes to the team that belted the West Coast Eagles by 135 points at Subiaco in round 13.

Matthew Scarlett and Mathew Stokes were at Tullamarine Airport upon the Cats departure on Thursday and look certain to resume from injury, while Ryan Gamble is also part of an extended squad to take on the Crows.

“Unfortunately we have to work [that] out,” Thompson said when asked the make-up of his team.

“We’re going to take 24 over, and we’ll just work out the team when we get there.

“Who’s coming in? Scarlett, Stokes … Ryan Gamble are the sort of blokes that are coming over.”

Thompson said his side’s ability to perform in the absence of Scarlett had also given it extra confidence, while also perhaps given his champion full-back a renewed hunger for the game.

“It was good for the team, to play without him, to know that they can play good football without him,” he said.

“And I think when you miss a couple of games at his age you certainly get an appetite back for the football and he should have a good run in now.”