ADELAIDE forward Josh Jenkins says the Crows have plenty to be bullish about as they prepare to face Geelong and former teammate Patrick Dangerfield in a Friday night blockbuster next week.
Jenkins booted eight goals in the Crows' narrow loss to the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night, making the most of scarce opportunities at Etihad Stadium.
While there was plenty to fix, Jenkins said the Crows' ability to stay in the game despite a season low 37 inside 50s underlined how dangerous they could be this year.
"We're a pretty deadly side in terms of scoring when get a run on and move the ball, we've just got to get it in there more than 37 times," he told AFL.com.au.
"There's plenty to be bullish about and the beauty of footy is we’ve got the Cats at home in six nights' time … there's probably no better side in the competition at the moment.
"It's a pretty big test, but when we play our best footy in front of 60,000 we're a pretty hard team to stop."
Jenkins was a star on Saturday night, kicking goals from long-range, taking contested marks, and willing his team back into the contest late.
A passionate competitor, however, he said his own heroics went out the window as soon as the final siren sounded.
"It's a hollow feeling, we're professional athletes and we strive to play good footy, but there would be a lot more pride if we were able to win and I'd been able to play a big role in that," he said.
"We didn't win, so individual performances go out the window as far as I'm concerned.
"It's more about what we can fix up and what can we do around the forward line before next week."
While Jenkins broke free at Etihad Stadium, star teammates Eddie Betts and Taylor Walker shared just one goal between them, with Walker getting on the board in the fourth quarter.
Jenkins leads the Crows now with 23 goals and sits third in the Coleman Medal race, but he said his teammates' best form could be round the corner.
The 27-year-old backed his team's midfielders to rise to the occasion next Friday night when their former teammate returns to Adelaide Oval with Geelong.
"It's like when you're not that keen to play a good side that's come off a hiding, because they're always going to bounce back, our midfielders are as proud as anyone as a collective," he said.
"They'll get things sorted out and they'll be roaring come Friday night."
The Crows were on the end of a lopsided free kick count (28-11) on Saturday night, but Jenkins said the majority were correct.
"Ninety per cent of those free kicks, at first glance they look like free kicks," he said.
"They were first to the footy and we were second to the footy … that's part of the game. We've got to get inside and get the ball."
The Crows have said they will ask the AFL for clarity on Saturday night's umpiring next week.
