STOPPING Collingwood star Brodie Grundy has forced Adelaide coach Don Pyke into a "unique situation" - deploying two ruckmen for the first time.
Pyke will go with a one-two punch of veteran Sam Jacobs – in his 200th game - and emerging big man Reilly O'Brien in Saturday's crucial encounter against the Magpies at Adelaide Oval.
It's the first time the Crows have had two specialist ruckmen in the same side since Pyke took charge of the side in 2016.
O'Brien is back to help combat Grundy. Picture: AFL Photos
O'Brien assumed the No.1 mantle for most of the season before Jacobs returned to the side after a lengthy absence in last weekend's 10-point loss to West Coast.
"It's something we haven't done in the past, but we recognise Grundy and his influence on the game," Pyke said.
"We feel it's the right blend and mix for us this week.
"We'll see them a bit of them forward and in the ruck and try and nullify the influence of the premier big man (in the competition), if not one of the top ones." - Don Pyke
Pyke said the Crows would stretch the Magpies defensively with another tall target to complement co-captain Taylor Walker and youngster Darcy Fogarty.
"We look at the opposition in terms how they structure up down back and we think we can get an advantage through that," Pyke said.
"It's probably been on the radar for a little bit, but it hasn't been high on the conversations.
"It's quite a unique situation."
Winger Paul Seedsman returns for his 100th game against his former side, replacing Rory Atkins.
The Crows have resisted the temptation to recall defender Alex Keath, who will play in the SANFL after missing the past three weeks with an ankle injury.
Keath was ruled out of the round 19 game against Carlton at the MCG, but travelled with the team as an emergency before missing the next two matches.
"It's always hard to tell with the bone-stress stuff," Pyke said.
"We've had the same with Cam Ellis-Yolmen.
"You manage that on the basis of how they recover and sometimes you have to deload them for a period of time before you can get them going again.
"Hopefully (Keath) gets a full game under his belt, plays well and he's ready to go for the following week."
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The ninth-placed Crows (10-10) are outside of the top eight on percentage, but gained confidence from last weekend's gallant performance against the Eagles.
"The most pleasing part was when we got challenged in the third quarter, we just kept coming," Pyke said.
"We were shoulder to the wheel and gave ourselves an opportunity to win the game late.
"That to me showed the energy and the spirit of the group was in a really good space."
