Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks is confident his under-performing outfit will rise to the occasion against AFL ladder leaders Sydney.

Consecutive losses to fellow bottom-half sides Hawthorn and Richmond have left the Crows’ finals hopes in tatters before next week’s mid-season bye.

But Nicks insists there is still plenty to play for against the Swans at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

“We’re up against the best team in the competition but we know what we need to bring – it’s whether we actually bring it on the day,” Nicks told reporters before training on Wednesday.

“We’ve got a few soldiers back possibly this week … that brings a little bit of confidence and belief as well.

“We’ve put our heads down and gone to work … and when you’ve got a group like we do you have confidence that they will bring it.

“We didn’t quite get to where we needed last week (in an eight-point loss to Richmond) but when you come up against the best we know we’re going to lift.”

Veteran Adelaide forward Taylor Walker (back) and attacking livewire Izak Rankine (hamstring) are both a chance to return from injuries against Sydney.

The pair face fitness tests, with Nicks hopeful they will be cleared to add firepower in the Crows’ front half.

Nicks said last round’s debutant Billy Dowling will retain his spot in the side, but warned he could yet swing the axe at selection.

“In a team environment when the team’s not performing well, then certain parts of that come under stress,” Nicks said.

“Part of that is some of our individuals are under pressure because we’re just looking for performance that’s going to get us in the fight, and that hasn’t changed.

“That’s been there for the last two or three weeks; there’s been players under pressure where we need a little bit more from them.”

Nicks had been due to fall off-contract at the end of the season but in March was given a two-year extension until the end of 2026.

Adelaide’s chairman John Olsen last week said he had “no issue” with the extension despite the club’s poor performances.

Nicks, in his fifth season as coach and with 33 wins from 96 games, feels he still has strong backing from the club hierarchy, including Crows CEO Tim Silvers.

“I’ve got a lot of really good support around me and that’s where I’m extremely lucky to have the job I’ve got, the position I’m in and the footy club behind me,” Nicks said.

“I feel that support, especially in times like this where we are under pressure.

“I’m talking about the likes of John Olsen and Tim Silvers, who are really there for me at the moment.”

How Maynard embraced villain tag

Brayden Maynard never wanted to be one of the AFL’s villains.

But while his teammates still love him and Collingwood keep winning, it’s a persona the Magpies hardman is happy to embrace.

Maynard will line up for his 200th game against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday having established himself as one of the AFL’s most uncompromising defenders.

He’s a Magpie favourite – and an opposition fan’s nightmare.

“I don’t really like being hated by the other fans. But I can see why they do hate me,” a bashful Maynard said on Wednesday.

“But I promise I’m a good guy, a great guy.

“The only thing that really matters to me is what my teammates and the club thinks of me and I know within the four walls that I think I’ve got a great amount of respect and I love everyone in this club.

“So that’s all that matters to me. I don’t really pay attention to any of the outside noise.

“The guys that I run out with every week are the guys I play for and they play for me as well.”

Maynard became public enemy No.1 for Melbourne fans after his collision with Angus Brayshaw in last year’s qualifying final that knocked out the popular Demon and ultimately ended his career.

He faced the Demons for the first time since on King’s Birthday and was superb.

While he received less heat from Demons players than he expected, Maynard’s every possession greeted by a chorus of boos by Melbourne fans – soon drowned out by cheers from their Collingwood counterparts.

“There was a bit of a build-up. I actually tried to stay off social media because I knew everything would pop up again,” he said.

“So I did quite well in that sense.

“To get booed every time I got the ball but then the Magpie army to come over those boos and give a big cheer, it did mean a lot.”

Maynard is adamant his off-field character and his on-field persona are two very different people.

His competitiveness came to the fore early on – when he realised school wasn’t for him, footy was his “one-wood” and he had to give it everything.

“It’s a bit of white-line fever. I do get pretty angry and pretty aggressive when I cross that white line, but that’s just a part of who I am and I wouldn’t want any other way,” he said.

“And I don’t think I’d be here today if I didn’t have that balance between when I’m off the field relaxing, big, gentle giant, but then when I cross it I’m a different beast.”

Maynard hopes Nick Daicos will be fit for his milestone game after suffering a corked shin against the Dees.

The gun midfielder didn’t train on Wednesday and will have to prove his fitness later in the week to play.

“You’d have to ask him but I think he’d be right to get up,” Maynard said.

“He’s tough.”

with AAP