Adelaide coach Don Pyke says his leaders stood up when required in final term to overrun GWS

It was the 10 minutes that Don Pyke believes could make Adelaide’s season. And as he praised his senior stars, the club looked to the future by re-signing three youngsters.

Shane Mumford competes with Josh Jenkins in the ruck. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos/Getty Images

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One bloody-minded charge from Adelaide leaders Rory Sloane, Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins and Eddie Betts shapes as the defining point of the team’s 2019 resurgence.

As NBA great Michael Jordan observed, “some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen and others make it happen”.

Trailing by four points at three-quarter-time against GWS, Adelaide coach Don Pyke needed co-captains Sloane and Walker to take control as only leaders can. Two goals and an assist for Brad Crouch from Sloane — who had been quelled in the first half by tagger Matt de Boer — together with a momentum-shifting goal and assist from Walker — were decisive.

Lachlan Murphy celebrates a last-term goal with skipper Taylor Walker. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“It was a great finish to the game. It was an arm wrestle,” said Pyke of Adelaide’s 21-point triumph.

“The game was really there to be won and that is a credit to the guys. Most of the guys you are mentioning are in the leadership group and next leaders to find the composure, capacity and the moments to impact the game.

“That is what you need your leaders and best players to do.”

Pyke lamented — after a Round 21 loss to GWS in Canberra last August that ended Adelaide’s finals hopes — how his unit was losing the “big moments”. Not any more.

A perfect passing passage between Walker (two goals) and Jenkins (three) that set up Hugh Greenwood’s contested mark and goal was the body blow that unravelled GWS with four minutes remaining.

Betts’ western boundary line dribble for his second and the Crows’ sealer lifted the roof off Adelaide Oval.

It capped a 10-minute, four-goal onslaught that stands to solidify Adelaide’s conviction this season.

“That was what our guys were able to do and that should give the confidence and belief in the way they we want to play,” said Pyke, also lauding rookie ruckman Reilly O’Brien’s “huge” 29-hit-out, nine-clearance effort on GWS behemoth Shane Mumford.

Adelaide would have sat outside the eight on a 5-7 win-loss record without final-term heroics against Melbourne and GWS. The Crows will enter the bye at 8-5 if they down Richmond on Thursday night.

Pyke says he “never doubted” the ability of his soldiers.

“We’ve shown (spirit), even a couple weeks ago against West Coast — we were well and truly in that game, but we lost it,” said Pyke

“Playing the best teams, wins are hard and it was a hard-fought win against GWS but it’s another four points.

“It’s a bit more than that for us, because it gives us that sense we’re on the right path here.”

Rory Sloane and Josh Jenkins of the Crows celebrate a goal in the win against the Giants at Adelaide Oval. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Wundke

Had Jenkins not been overlooked for a sixth game, Adelaide might have toppled West Coast. Now, the Crows must decide whether to add Bryce Gibbs or David Mackay to a unit that has five days to rejuvenate and face Richmond.

Tom Lynch is expected to be ruled out of the Tigers clash after straining a calf in the warm-up on Saturday night.

Jordan Gallucci finished with a corked leg.

“It’ll now just be a matter of getting our recovery right and we’ll be set for Thursday night,” said Pyke.

Adelaide on Sunday signed draftees Ned McHenry, Will Hamill and Lachlan Sholl to two-year contract extensions.

Adelaide’s list manager Justin Reid said the work ethic of the trio had been first class since they arrived at West Lakes.

“Ned, Will and Lachie are quality young men both on and off the field, and are eager to learn, take on board feedback and act upon it,” Reid said.

“They are making really good progress and we see them being long-term players for our club, and they should continue to thrive in our team-first environment and with the peace of mind that their future is secure for the next few years.”