ADELAIDE'S players have been listening to crowd noises on iPods and endured screaming coaches in preparation for the final Showdown at AAMI Stadium. 

 

The Crows struggled to convert in front of goal last weekend against Fremantle, missing 11 or their 18 scoring shots.

 

Sanderson said the unusual training techniques were aimed to help his players cope with anxiety both in front of goal and in front of a sell-out crowd.

It marks the last time the two teams will meet before matches move to Adelaide Oval in 2014.

 

"It's hard to replicate anxiety at training so we just keep focusing on technique [and] routine," Sanderson said.

 

"We've had players iPods in with really loud music or crowd noise to try and distract them as they're coming in to kick goals.

 

"We've had coaches screaming at players as they're walking in having a set shot, but players have to turn negative self talk into positive self talk."

 

Sanderson refused to eliminate the possibility of a finals berth, insisting that with five games to go and with five wins needed – Adelaide was still a chance.

 

The Crows sit in 11th spot on the ladder with seven wins, eight points adrift from eighth-placed Port Adelaide.

 

"Our season's still alive, with five games to go we've got to try and finish on 12 wins," he said.

 

"Port Adelaide, Carlton, West Coast, us, we've just got to fight it out until the final siren of the last game.

 

"It'd be foolish for me to walk into the club with my head down saying, 'boys let's start preparing for 2014' – we're very much alive.

 

"But we need to keep winning."

 

Sanderson's logic turns Sunday's Showdown into a do-or-die encounter, increasing the significance of what already looms a blockbuster game.

 

That suited Power coach Ken Hinkley, who stressed the importance for his players to experience such "high pressure" games.

 

But Hinkley denied the pressure on his players was further magnified given their opportunity to kill off the rivals' season for good.

 

And while Hinkley was adamant he'd take an unchanged side in the game, Sanderson suggested several late changes were on the cards.

 

Adelaide's selected 22 had "a few sore guys".

 

"The team that comes out tonight may not be team that takes the field on Sunday," he said.