The Swans have lost nine of their past ten games against the Crows but will be vying to put an end to their five game losing streak when the two teams play at AAMI stadium.
Kirk said the Swans have been gradually building momentum each week and were encouraged by the victory against the Western Bulldogs on the weekend.
“We’ve got a really disappointing record with Adelaide over recent years and it’s something that we have thought about going into this weekend that we want to start changing that pattern,” Kirk said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“We will obviously know on Friday night how that’s going to pan out. I think as a team we will be a lot more settled. Last weekend we played for about a half with a really settled team and it just showed there are some really good signs, some positive signs, and this weekend I think pretty much the whole team can play the full game if that’s what’s required.”
There has been a new level of excitement and enthusiasm around the Club over the pre-season with the emergence of some new faces.
Friday’s match will be the final hit-out for both teams before the season proper and Kirk said there is still a chance for the younger kids to impress for a round one spot.
“Patrick Veszpremi has had a really good pre-season, Jesse White is stepping up in the ruck, Mike Pyke could be a chance early, he has really impressed. There’s quite a few guys that really put their hand up and I don’t think anything is really cemented for round one so it’s a good opportunity for those guys. We’ll have a good mixture of experience and youth,” Kirk said.
While the younger kids coming through are making a positive contribution to the Swans, Kirk said the players who have been around the Club for the last few years will be pivotal to the team as the Club strives to take part in their seventh consecutive finals campaign.
“We need everyone contributing. There’s a lot been talked about the more senior players and how long the guys have been around the footy club.
“I think some of our middle tier players, like Jarrad McVeigh stepped up last year and showed that he’s going to be a top line player. Paul Bevan and Lewis Roberts-Thomson and guys that have been around the footy club for a little while can really step up, make a difference and take major roles.”
After being elevated from the rookie list in 1999, Kirk has been through his fair share of pre-seasons, but being able to determine how the Club is placed for the year ahead is always a challenging task.
“I guess it’s really hard to gauge. It’s not until you start playing games that you get a real gauge on how you are going as a team. I still think anything’s open, it’s a pretty open competition.”
