In his best season of AFL football, Adelaide Crow Scott Welsh believes his team will match Port Adelaide's desperation in Saturday night's showdown.

"They're going to come out firing, just like we are," Welsh said.

"They're playing for their season, so we have to match them... it's just too important to us."

The Crows are fighting to retain their number two spot on the ladder, which is likely to be challenged by St Kilda and Sydney.

Welsh has kicked 46 goals in 2005, one off his previous best season and just outside the AFL top 10, and he attributed his club's forward line success to greater attention paid by coach Neil Craig.

"We made a real emphasis on the backline and the midfield (last season), but the forward line was a bit of a problem for a while there," he said.

"But this year we're emphasising in creating a structure for ourselves and it's been really good so far.

"I think the forwards leading and the way we lead has improved as well, it makes it a lot easier for the midfielders to get that kick right."

Welsh said his own season had benefited from improved fitness levels.

"At the start of the year I made a goal not to miss any games because of injury, but obviously I missed one through injury," he said.

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