Showdown Medallist Matt Crouch hails power of positivity, in face of wasteful goalkicking

SHOWDOWN Medallist Matt Crouch believes the key to his team’s win over Port Adelaide was the Crows’ ability to stay positive and discard the frustration of a dominant but wasteful second quarter.

AFL — Showdown 41 — Port Adelaide v Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval. Karl Amon holds onto Matt Crouch. Picture Sarah Reed

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SHOWDOWN Medallist Matt Crouch believes the key to his team’s win over Port Adelaide was the Crows’ ability to stay positive and discard the frustration of a dominant but wasteful second quarter.

The Crows kicked a paltry 3.9 for the term from 22 inside 50s but Crouch said the talk had remained optimistic among the players — and the club’s leaders and coaching staff had urged them to carry on with the attack.

“Naturally you do get a bit frustrated but the worst thing you can do is to go into your shell,” Crouch said. “You’ve still got to convert when you can and obviously we got the result in the end, which was good.

“I think composure was the main thing. We were encouraged by the most of the boys and the coaching staff to keep composed and positive.”

Crouch won the medal on 17 judges’ votes after collecting a game-high 33 disposals. He was followed by Ollie Wines (12 votes), Robbie Gray (8) and Eddie Betts (5).