Adelaide Crows unlock another avenue to goal after big win over Richmond

Not content with having the most potent forward line in the game, Matthew Nicks and the Crows have unlocked yet another avenue to goal and the competition should be worried.

Not content with already having one of the most potent forward lines in the AFL, Adelaide look like they have found yet another reliable avenue to goal as their quest for a top-four spot goes up another notch.

With eight rounds remaining, the Crows have the second-best attack in the league, and on Sunday against Richmond, defender Max Michalanney showed he’s more than capable of joining the party on offence.

He only had one goal from 59 games heading into the match at the MCG, but quadrupled that career tally with three majors, including a pair of magnificent long-range set shots.

Michalanney also performed a crucial defensive job on Richmond’s gun interceptor Nick Vlastuin.

“It was Maxy’s idea. Always give credit to someone else when it works,” coach Matthew Nicks smiled.

“He was great. He played an important role. We have a lot of respect for Vlastuin and the way he plays his footy and he’s hurt us a lot over the years.

“It was in the end a good move - one that we’ll continue to look at with Max. He’s got a lot of flexibility with where he can play.”

Max Michalanney starred for the Crows on Sunday. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images.

The Crows also boast the No.2 defence in the league, and Nicks was happy with how well his side was performing at both ends of the ground.

“We’re still working on it ... but what today’s performance does is maintain that momentum that we had in the first half of the season,” Nicks said.

“It ticks us into this second half and our balance of offence and defence is in a really good place at the moment.”

Another youngster whose performance Nicks was pleased with was that of former No.8 pick Daniel Curtin, who played the best game of his fledgling career with 26 disposals, eight marks, five tackles, seven inside 50s, two goals and four score assists.

“He’s always been a fit lad, he’s got in the gym, he’s embraced what being a professional is as good as I’ve seen a young player do,” Nicks said.

“He was an early draft pick for reason. I’m not surprised at where he’s at the moment.

“Some of the stuff he’s doing I’ll have to turn away and smile because he’s playing well and above his age and experience, so it’s really exciting for our footy club.

“He’s getting what he deserves at the moment for working hard.”

Meanwhile, Nicks stressed subbing out Josh Rachele was purely a precautionary measure and although the gun small forward didn’t look too pleased with the decision, Nicks insisted he understood why the move was made.

“Josh is experiencing a little bit of soreness at the moment,” Nicks said.

“We didn’t take any risks ... he’s a really important part and shown that first half of this season.”

Originally published as Adelaide Crows unlock another avenue to goal after big win over Richmond