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The midfield match-up Jenkins 'would love' to see

Adelaide forward Josh Jenkins hopes the AFL world will be treated to a particular midfield match-up when third-placed Geelong host the ladder-leading Crows on Friday night.

Adelaide thrashed Fremantle on Saturday night, two days after the Cats snuck home against Port Adelaide at Simonds Stadium.

While their city rivals couldn't get the job done in Geelong, Jenkins has implored his teammates to "live in the real world" and embrace the hype of the clash with the Cats.

Jenkins says the match would lift if Rory Sloane is pitted against his great mate, former Adelaide and current Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield.

"We all would love that," Jenkins told reporters on Monday.

"Those two boys would love nothing more than to butt heads for four quarters."

Could we see Sloane v Dangerfield? Pic: Getty
Could we see Sloane v Dangerfield? Pic: Getty

Jenkins returned to the Adelaide side on the weekend after being dropped for round nine and kicked three goals against the Dockers.

Having fallen to the Cats twice last season, including in Geelong, the big No.4 is looking forward to chasing a statement victory.

"Just live in the real world - it's going to be a big game so let's embrace it, there's no point shying away from the fact," Jenkins said.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of. It's exciting. You would rather be playing first v third on Friday night than 17th v 18th on Sunday night."

Jenkins conceded his attitude differed from most AFL players, who try to publicly downplay the magnitude of important games.

"I hope we build this game up a fair bit. I'm really keen to get down there and get stuck into those guys," he said of the trip to Geelong, where the Crows haven't won since 2003.

"They play that ground extremely well and we have had indifferent form down there - it's time for us to go down there and play a really good game and show that we're a real contender.

"We have obviously shown our best football is as good as anyones.

"But to go down on someone else's home ground, another contender, and win, would be a great statement.

"Athletes, competitors, enjoy when games are built up and games are huge."

with AAP