ADELAIDE replicated the tight constraints of GMHBA Stadium at training in a bid to snap its 16-year hoodoo at Geelong on Friday night.
Playing more centrally, less switching of the ball and avoiding the pockets is what the Crows will focus on as they attempt to end a 10-match losing streak in Geelong.
THE RUN HOME Who will make finals?
Forward Tom Lynch is "touch and go" to return from a calf strain after doing limited training on Monday, however defenders Daniel Talia (thigh) and Jake Kelly (calf) have been cleared to play, while young forward Elliott Himmelberg is expected to come into the side to replace the injured Josh Jenkins.
The Cats have an outstanding home record, partially because of the unique dimensions of GMHBA Stadium, which is 170m long, but only 115m wide.
THINGS WE LEARNED The player Freo can't afford to lose
That's nine metres shorter in width than Adelaide Oval (167m x 124), which is why the Crows brought the lines in during 20 minutes of match simulation training on Saturday at Football Park.
"We did some work on Saturday with a smaller ground and our ability to move the ball within a more confined space," Kelly told reporters on Monday.
"You can't go as wide because you can get in trouble switching the ball too much and getting trapped on one of those sides.
"I don't think you can bail out to the pockets and you can get trapped there pretty easily.
"You've got to be careful when you go sideways."
AROUND THE STATE LEAGUES Veteran Hawk back, young Cat sizzles
Kelly doesn't believe the Cats will be any more motivated to respond after their shock 11-point loss to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Find Trends on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify
But he said the Crows won't be intimidated by the Cats' imposing home record.
"Potentially, you can get into a trap sometimes of thinking it's Geelong in Geelong," Kelly said.
"We're far from that mindset.
"We're going there to win and we've got a really strong belief we can do that."
BARRETT The data simply hasn’t changed enough for Richo
The Crows are refreshed, sitting fifth on the ladder with an 8-5 record after the bye.
Lynch has missed the past two games after injuring his calf in the warm-up before the round 12 win against Greater Western Sydney.
"He is getting there, but it will be a call if he gets through the main session, which is touch and go at this stage," Kelly said.
"He's by no chance locked in."
Himmelberg, who played six straight games between rounds 5-10, is in the box seat to get another chance at senior level with Jenkins to miss four to six weeks with a knee injury.