Feeling free to follow instincts
ADELAIDE midfielder Rory Atkins believes the freedom Don Pyke has allowed his players is a cornerstone behind the Crows’ rise to the top of the ladder.
Atkins, who has raised eyebrows both for his hairstyles and football form this season, said Pyke was letting the Crows play to their natural instincts.
He suggested much of the improvement this season came from Pyke becoming more settled in his role and the players spending another season maturing together.
“I think it’s just the continuity,” Atkins said. “One being the senior coach, another season under his belt. Last year was his first as a senior coach so he’s got more experience in what the game is like in the head role.
“Following on from that is the continuity of the playing group.
“We’ve all played an extra 22 games together, worked out how each other play.”
Atkins also spoke of the licence Pyke tended to give to his players. The concept is the opposite of the old “Crowbots” cliche – clinically drilled Adelaide sides – and instead provides a vision of players allowed to play with their natural flair.
“Don’s great like that,” Atkins said. “I play my best football when I play instinctively and play the football I grew up playing.
“Some guys, getting into an AFL environment, lose their flair or lose what got them drafted.
“He’s confident enough to let us play how we play. He’ll let us know if it comes out of the team confines but if it doesn’t he gives you all the confidence in the world to play football the way you know how to play.”
But Adelaide, which faces Hawthorn in the last Thursday night game for the season, would not underestimate the Hawks.
The Crows have lost both of their matches against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval and are well aware of the Hawks’ ability to intimidate and impose themselves on matches – their lack of form this season notwithstanding.
“They’re obviously not playing the way they intended to or wanted to from the start of the year,” Atkins said. “But we’re well aware that they’ve still got a good core group of the team that has won their grand finals.”