David Mackay says the truth behind Adelaide’s ‘staredown stance’ won’t be revealed until after the grand final against Richmond
THE reason behind Adelaide’s imposing “power stance” during the national anthem will remain a secret until after Saturday’s AFL grand final against Richmond.
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THE reason behind Adelaide’s imposing “power stance’’ during the national anthem will remain a secret until after Saturday’s AFL grand final against Richmond.
Veteran utility David Mackay told The Advertiser that while many theories had been put forward for why the Adelaide players had lined up for the pre-game anthem in staredown mode during the finals, the truth would be kept in-house until after the club's first grand final in 19 years.
“It’s something that we will keep internal as much as possible,’’ Mackay said as the Crows zero in on their first premiership since 1998.
“It’s got a lot of airtime — more than we thought it would — but it’s not really a big deal to us.
“It’s just something that we started to do internally to help us start well, to stand that way.
“People are making a big deal of it but we’ll keep it (the real reason) internal.’’
Adelaide started its now-famous “staredown’’ during its qualifying final win against Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval.
Its decision to line up opposite the Giants team with its players standing a foot apart, with their shoulders back and arms stretched by their sides in a powerful manner while staring down the opposition created headlines.
Five-times premiership Hawk Dermott Brereton labelled the move as “genius’’ as the Crows beat GWS by six goals.
Adelaide used the same pre-game tactic in last Friday’s 61-point preliminary final demolition job on Geelong.
Questioned about the staredown, coach Don Pyke and several players have tried to brush it aside, with most saying it’s been a spur of the moment decision.
Others have indicated it has been the brainchild of captain Taylor Walker.
Ruckman Sam Jacobs said the stance had been about “focus’’ to ensure the team starts well but he would not elaborate.
Mackay indicated it was a part of several team-based measures — and player pacts — the club had introduced as it dealt with a series of tragedies in recent years, including the death of former senior coach Phil Walsh.
Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes described Adelaide’s move as “bold’’ because it had been done in front of “prime time television with millions watching’’.
“Had the Crows lost the first final they would have been a laughing stock,’’ Cornes wrote in his The Advertiser column.
“Their players now believe they have their opposition psyched out before the ball has even been bounced.
“They remain totally still until their opposition make their first move to break away, so it's over to you Richmond. Who will blink first?’’
Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd described Adelaide’s stance, which it intends to again use against Richmond at the MCG, as “intimidation tactics’’.
andrew.capel@news.com.au