Going all right with Pyke at Crows
COACH Don Pyke has reinvented the Crows, ensuring top-ranked Adelaide is again the AFL’s true measuring stick.
As debate begins on whether Adelaide or Sydney, after 10 wins in 11 games, should be ranked the AFL premiership favourite, there is no question the Crows have evolved to be a more sound contender for a toptwo finish at the end of the home-and-away series.
There have been three phases to the Crows this season:
UNBEATABLE with a 6-0 start in which the Crows were noted for their high scoring — a club record 134 points.
“WORKED OUT” with a 2-3 record from rounds 7-11 when North Melbourne and Melbourne imposed the tag on club champion Rory Sloane and the clamps on halfbacks Rory Laird and Brodie Smith.
SOUNDER with a 5-1 count in the past six games when defence has become the order of the Adelaide playbook. Not only have the Crows conceded less, a 69-point average and no score of 100 points, they have also returned the tagger to their game plan with the role conversion with Riley Knight.
“If you continue to do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got,” is Pyke’s telling assessment of the need for change at West Lakes.
The evolution of the Crows in such quick time challenges the image of second-year coach Pyke being stubborn in his ways and without a plan B in his playbook.
Beyond the use of a tagger, with Knight minding Geelong captain Joel Selwood in Friday night’s 21-point win at Adelaide Oval, the standout feature of the Crows’ hoodoo-breaking win against the Cats was the way Pyke’s men imposed themselves on the contest.
“It’s just part of the evolution of the group,” Pyke said.
“We learned some things out of some games earlier (this year) where we were probably challenged in that area. Clearly, it’s the space the players want to play in.
“At times we were close to the line, but that’s what the game requires.”
Knight’s transformation from a forward trying to command a place in a loaded attack to a player with a defensive edge has emerged with significant results against Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen and Selwood in the past month.
“Riley embraced the role,” Pyke said. “He did some work with our midfield coach Scott Camporeale and came up with a plan and executed it.”
The cost of the intense win against Geelong will be measured by the medical report on midfielder Brad Crouch.
He suffered a depressed cheekbone just before threequarter time and continued to play in the last term.
Crouch is hopeful of being able to have surgery and play.
“I might have to have some surgery early in the week, but hopefully won’t miss any games,” Crouch said on Friday.
Adelaide continues its run to the club’s first minor premiership since 2005 by playing Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday. The Crows have a four-game, three-season streak against the Magpies.
Adelaide’s defence is to be strengthened with the expected return of Jake Lever (hamstringknee). This puts in doubt the continued selection of Alex Keath, who was upgraded from the rookie list to join the list of first-class cricketers who have played VFL-AFL football.