Crows back to their best in AFL clash against Fremantle Dockers, says Adelaide coach Don Pyke

ADELAIDE coach Don Pyke believes the Crows have recaptured the type of dominant football they produced early in the season after Saturday night’s 100-point flogging of Fremantle.

Josh Jenkins wins the hit out against the Dockers. His efforts in his comeback game impressed coach Don Pyke. Picture: Ryan Pierse (Getty Images)

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ADELAIDE coach Don Pyke believes the Crows have recaptured the type of dominant football they produced early in the season after Saturday night’s 100-point flogging of Fremantle.

Pyke said the Crows had been good against Brisbane last week but were even better against the Dockers as they put a two-week form slump behind them in convincing fashion.

“It’s probably the best we’ve played for a month, I think we played some strong and powerful footy early in the year but certainly in the last month that’s back to playing the way we want to play,” Pyke said.

“And all phases of the game I thought we were really strong all night.

Josh Jenkins wins the hit out against the Dockers. His efforts in his comeback game impressed coach Don Pyke. Picture: Ryan Pierse (Getty Images)

“The season is going to have its ups and downs, we had a couple of down weeks where I thought we were just off in our contested work which has been one of our strengths, and also our running.

“Last week there was some good stuff and tonight we got back to a really high standard against a really good team, and were able to get that result.”

Pyke was also pleased with Adelaide’s dominant opening quarter, which set up the win.

“It was a great start and we spoke about it during the week, they understood some of it was key areas we wanted to get better at and some of it was mindset, and they certainly jumped out of the blocks well tonight.

“Maybe we could have converted a bit better ... but the energy and effort they brought early was outstanding.”

Pyke said he had seen enough from Josh Jenkins who returned after being dropped last week.

“I was happy with Josh’s game, the intensity he played, from a conditioning viewpoint it didn’t hurt him having a run back there (SANFL) last week, but certainly I thought his intensity around the ball was noticeable.

“He’s capable of that, we’ve known that, he’s a proud man who wants to perform well at the level ... it was great to see him respond that way and play the way he did.”

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said his side had “embarrassed ourselves” against the Crows.

“We think we’ve been acquitting ourselves well but we didn’t tonight ... they comprehensively obliterated us around the ball and stoppages,” Lyon said.

“They got hold of us and taught us a football lesson.”

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