Stopper Kerridge aims even higher

Adelaide players celebrate Sam Kerridge's goal against the Bulldogs. Picture: Simon Cross Source: The Advertiser

SAM Kerridge wants to become Adelaide's new hired gun.

After blanketing Bulldogs star Ryan Griffen at AAMI Stadium on Sunday, Kerridge has put his hand up for more of football's biggest stopping jobs. They include dynamic Carlton pair Chris Judd and Marc Murphy at the MCG on Saturday.

"If that's something I get called upon to do, I'd be more than happy to do it," said Kerridge, who was influential in his second game for the Crows, restricting gamebreaker Griffen to 15 disposals.

"I'd be honoured to take one of those two. But that's something the coaches will discuss, so I'll sit on it and wait."

With captain Nathan van Berlo (knee) sidelined for at least three more weeks and Adelaide's other regular tagger, Matthew Wright, struggling for touch, Kerridge was given the run-with role against Griffen and made coach Brenton Sanderson's surprising decision look good.

Apart from negating Griffen, who was forced off in the final term with a shoulder injury, Kerridge had 14 disposals and kicked his first AFL goal after the final siren.

Most significantly, he looked at ease on the big stage and against a high-quality opponent.

"I just wanted to play my part for the team and help us get the (premiership) points," the 20-year-old said.

"But it was fantastic for my learning to chase around a very good player and to see how those players go about it. It helps to develop my running patterns and decision-making and stuff like that."

Kerridge was told 24 hours before the Dogs clash he would be standing Griffen.

It was the former Bendigo under-18 star's first AFL stopping job after he started his only previous AFL game - against Hawthorn in round three last year - as the sub.

Kerridge had a taste of tagging in the NAB Cup when he was asked to shadow Geelong's Travis Varcoe.

Although inexperienced, Kerridge doesn't lack confidence to go head-to-head with the stars. He believes he has the mindset, physique and running power to more than hold his own.

"I'd like to think my running power holds me in good stead," he said.

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