Adelaide Crows coach Don Pyke hails ‘blossoming’ ruckman Reilly O’Brien

Adelaide coach Don Pyke has hailed the performance of seven-gamer Reilly O’Brien, saying he was instrumental in the hard-fought win against Fremantle. And he’s backed him to shine in Showdown 46.

Reilly O’Brien in hot pursuit of Fremantle’s David Mundy. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

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Adelaide coach Don Pyke has hailed the performance of seven-game ruckman Reilly O’Brien, saying he was instrumental in the hard-fought win against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval on Sunday and backing him to shine in Showdown 46.

The Crows’ 17-point triumph — after they led by just six points deep into the final quarter — saw them leapfrog arch-rival Port Adelaide on the premiership table for the first time this season.

They sit sixth — one spot ahead of the Power — heading into the round eight derby on Saturday night.

And Pyke backed the tough, bullocking O’Brien to handle Port’s star ruck pairing of Paddy Ryder and Scott Lycett after his inspirational performance in a low-scoring affair against the Dockers where only 12 goals were kicked in perfect conditions.

Reilly O’Brien hot on the heels of Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Reilly O'Brien in the ruck against Fremantle’s Rory Lobb. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

Rookie list pick-up O’Brien, who has had to sit behind star veteran Sam Jacobs in the ruck pecking order at Adelaide for five years, was dominant with 22 disposals, five marks and 44 hit-outs to ease some of Pyke’s ruck concerns for the Showdown as derby specialist Jacobs sits for a sixth consecutive week with a knee injury that required surgery.

“He was outstanding,’’ Pyke said of O’Brien.

“He’s come in, he’s now a seven-game player and it’s well known about the (superb) pre-season he had, he’s been looking for an opportunity and when Sam unfortunately got injured it presented for Reilly and he’s grabbed it.

“He’s just continuing to blossom and get better week-in, week-out. This game suited him because it was a real physical game and he is a ruckman who likes getting his hands dirty after the ruck contest, so it’s really pleasing with the progress that he’s making.’’

Pyke backed O’Brien, who outpointed Rory Lobb against the Dockers, to be able to hold his own against Port’s key ruck pairing in a battle of two 4-3 sides following Adelaide winning its third consecutive match on Sunday.

“We’ve ben confident with Reilly since we’ve brought him into the team,’’ said Pyke, whose side reported no fresh injuries.

“You’ve got to remember that he’s got three years as a SANFL ruckman, he’s learnt his craft, built a strong body and worked on his conditioning, which has been well recognised through the off-season, so he knows he can play big minutes.

“For him it was just the opportunity, which is what he’s now getting and he gets another great challenge next week.

“Those two ruckmen are well regarded, they are high quality ruckmen, so it’s another opportunity for him to move his career forward.’’

Pyke was pleased that his team was able to win ugly.

“Both teams were cracking in and it was tough from the very start, which is what we expected,’’ he said.

“It was a genuine arm wrestle and to our guys’ credit they just plugged away and found a way to win in the end.

“We’ve recovered our (ladder) position, we are playing better, more consistently and in the space we need to play in to win games, we are defending the game really well.

“With the Showdown coming up, both teams are 4-3 with an opportunity to go 5-3, which is a really big prize to play for.’’