Hasleby wary of controversial Crows - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Hasleby wary of controversial Crows

By Justin Chadwick 07/04/2009 08:18:35 PM Comments (0)

Fremantle midfielder Paul Hasleby expects the media storm surrounding Nathan Bock's off-field woes will help Adelaide in Sunday's AFL clash at Subiaco Oval.

Bock, an All-Australian defender last year, has been suspended indefinitely by the Crows after his involvement in a drunken incident that led to his arrest for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.

The Dockers have had to deal with their own fair share of controversy in recent years - most involving Jeff Farmer - and Hasleby believed the scrutiny surrounding Bock would actually assist the Crows' on-field fortunes.

"Whenever there is controversy a team's always going to come out and play pretty well," Hasleby said on Tuesday.

"I don't think the actual incident will be used as motivation for them but they will want to try to take the focus off their football club and the best way of doing that is by winning games."

Hasleby admitted spirits were low in the Dockers camp after losing their opening two games of the season by a combined 101 points.

"The boys are hurting, they're pretty deflated," he said.

"Your spirit's never really good after two losses.

"It was a pretty deflating loss at the weekend.

"We expected to beat Essendon.

"It is tough at times but it's a challenge for the group to stay motivated.

"It's only two weeks in so we've got time to turn it around.

"We are matching opposition teams with inside 50s but we aren't converting them into goals.

"I think at times the (forward) structure hasn't been right.

"Sometimes we are too (Matthew) Pavlich and (Luke) McPharlin conscious and the opposition half-back flankers are falling off and getting into their space.

"We have to be smarter ... and try to use all of the forwards instead of just two."

Hasleby said he expected defender Roger Hayden, who is yet to play this season due to a hamstring injury, to put his hand up for selection after running strongly on Tuesday.

"We've seen how important Roger is to our side, I'd say with Matthew Pavlich probably one of our most important players structurally," Hasleby said.

"He gives us a lot of run, a lot of smarts, good skills and also the ability to lay off and get in front of their key forwards.

"He did a lot of running out there today and I'd expect him to train on Thursday with the main group and all going well he'll play."

But veteran Des Headland (calf/Achilles tendon) and young forward Chris Mayne (foot) could spend another month on the sidelines.

Along with Bock, the Crows will also be without forward Trent Hentschel (knee) and midfielder Chris Knights (fractured eye socket), while Scott Stevens (hamstring) is no certainty to return.

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