'Be bloody honest': Malcolm Blight's stern advice to Crows in hopes of snapping 27-year drought

Adelaide's last and only premiership coach has given his take on what the Crows need to do to progress through this week's semi-final clash against Hawthorn. 

It has been 27 years since Malcolm Blight led the Crows to grand final glory and now, the mentor who was known for his strategic innovations has urged the current coaching group to consider unconventional tactics. 

"I think the coaching group are going to have to get a bit creative," he said. 

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In 1997, Blight moved defender Shane Ellen forward before he then scored five goals in the absence of the injured Tony Modra.

He says a similar line-up change could do the trick for the modern-day Crows.

"This might sound a bit silly but I think Darcy Fogarty probably had his quietest game in a while," Blight said.

"I might just start him in the middle, the big body in there early... just crash through, give him a couple of go's in there and just see exactly what happens from there."

Blight only had a handful of players with finals experience in 1997, which is similar to Matthew Nicks' current crop, 16 of whom got their first taste last Thursday night. 

"I just hope Matthew Nicks and the coaching group have actually spoken individually to every player and said 'did you start to panic a bit when the scoreboard goes against you?'," Blight said.

"And just be bloody honest, be honest and then you can actually help them through the next level."

Despite their loss to the Magpies last week, Blight said the Crows were still a chance of winning this year's premiership.

"Of course they are," he said.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.