Lachlan Murphy’s courage and David Mackay’s intent sets the tone for Adelaide Crows to respond to widespread criticism

After a week of criticism from some of the game’s biggest names, the Crows had to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. It was two of their under-fire players who led the way.

Lachlan Murphy celebrates his goal after the quarter-time siren on Sunday. Picture: Sam Wundke (AAP).

• Betts wonder-goal means it’s tatt time for Tom
• Eddie dominates in his 300th game

Apart from being called ‘soft’, being accused of not trying is perhaps the biggest blight on a footballer’s reputation and that’s what Adelaide had to stare down before Sunday’s clash with Gold Coast.

The stunning claim wasn’t attention-seeking hysteria from a rogue supporter on social media, it was from the measured and respected voice of Paul Roos who after Adelaide’s loss to North Melbourne last week said “They’re not playing for each other, they’re not having a go.”

David Mackay chases down Will Brodie and catches him holding the ball. Picture: Sam Wundke (AAP).

To some degree, Roos had a point. Adelaide had won contested just ball once in its opening four games, finishing -17 against North Melbourne, -33 against Geelong, -1 against Sydney and +18 against Hawthorn in Round 1.

So the only way for the Crows to fix that was to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, which they did to record a season-high 169 contested possessions and finish +17.

While Rory Sloane did what Rory Sloane does best and had 20 of them, there were two others who stood up and might just have made a few fairweather supporters eat some humble pie.

Often maligned wingman David Mackay had 13 disposals (seven contested) and had laid five tackles in the first half. The most tackles Mackay had laid in an entire game this season was two and he went on to finish with eight.

And there were none bigger than his effort mid-way through the second quarter when he ran down Will Brodie as the Sun was going inside 50m. Mackay won the free kick, got the handball receive from Brodie Smith and then the one-two with Cam Ellis-Yolmen in the middle.

He kept running hard, lowered his eyes — which Crows players haven’t been able to do this season — and hit Eddie Betts lace out on the lead for a team-lifting goal.

Lachlan Murphy celebrates after kicking the opening goal of the game — after the quarter-time siren, sparking the Crows rampage. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

There was also Lachy Murphy’s efforts. There have been a lot of questions as to why Murphy is still in the team after the 1-3 start but the Crows love his pressure and last night he brought hardness, courage and composure as well.

In the first half he had two big pressure acts on the wing and in the pocket, then took a courageous mark running back with the flight of the ball in the middle of Adelaide Oval which he repeated again in the last quarter.

Murphy also hit the scoreboard when the Crows desperately needed some reward for effort and his goal after the quarter-time siren was one of three for the game.

Hugh Greenwood puss in a big mark over Suns defender Jack Hombsch. Picture: SARAH REED

While Adelaide is still searching for its best 22 this season after dropping Bryce Gibbs and Josh Jenkins, don’t underestimate the impact Hugh Greenwood had in his first game of the season.

His contested mark and goal from the top of the square then ability to win the next clearance in the middle to set up another goal was exactly the dynamic the Crows have been crying out for from a midfielder/forward this season.