Adelaide Crows have learned to win ‘ugly’ says coach Don Pyke after AFL win over Carlton
DON Pyke says Adelaide embraced “the ugly” in a 12-point win against Carlton at the MCG on Saturday and expects more of the same in the march to September.
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DON Pyke says Adelaide embraced “the ugly” in a 12-point win against Carlton at the MCG on Saturday and expects more of the same in the march to September.
Pyke conceded he had been tested as much as his men over an “inconsistent” patch where critics said Adelaide had been worked out.
“Certain sides have played differently against us and we have had to learn and that’s us as coaches as well,” said Pyke with Adelaide losing to North Melbourne, Melbourne, Geelong and Hawthorn over seven games entering Saturday’s contest at the MCG.
“Have we got through that? I don’t know. We play the Western Bulldogs on Friday night and that’s another big challenge.”
Adelaide is locked in a race for the minor premiership with Greater Western Sydney but its faithful will be frustrated that a four-goal jump on lowly Carlton turned into a battle of attrition it nearly lost.
Pyke, on the flip side, noted that GWS had been brought it knees by the bloody-minded application the Blues unfurled against the Crows.
“It was always going to be one of those ugly games. Carlton have played that sort of style all year and to their credit they are a really strong defensive side,” said Pyke, with Blues counterpart Brendon Bolton employing two spares in defence and forcing stoppages after quarter time.
“They and have beaten sides like GWS using that style.
“We got challenged in the last quarter and we were able to find a way in the end to win.”
The beautiful game that shot Adelaide to top spot and an unbeaten six-game start to the season won’t be allowed in September.
“It is not always about scoring and free flowing footy. It is a good test case for what we know is coming in the next few weeks,” said Pyke.
“That is the beauty of those finals style games, contest to contest. As we get close to finals we can expect more of those sorts of days.”
Pyke noted how Taylor Walker backed tough talk during the week with inspirational leadership and deeds punctuated by a third term goal that quelled the Blues’ momentum.
Matt Crouch’s final term snap goal knocked the stuffing out of the Blues while Josh Jenkins’ three goals and 12 tackles also impressed the Adelaide coach.
“That’s what you want from your guys and leaders to stand up and influence the game. Across the board there were a number of guys who found a way and were pivotal,” said Pyke.
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