Five key takeaways from Nicks’ post-game presser v Western Bulldogs

Adelaide produced a statement victory against fellow top-eight team the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Crows led at every change, and held off the fast-finishing Dogs, to come away with a crucial 16.13 (109) to 15.8 (98) victory.

Senior coach Matthew Nicks spoke to the media after the match, and delivered five key takeaways.

Ability to adapt the key to victory

When asked what was the key factor behind his team’s victory, Nicks was quick to highlight its ability to adapt.

The Crows were tested throughout the contest, both on the injury front, with Jordon Butts (chest) and Brayden Cook (concussion) being ruled out of the match before the final term.

And by their opposition, who mounted a fierce final quarter comeback to send a scare through the Adelaide camp.

But Nicks’ men held strong, in a performance he described as “gutsy” as they chalked up their 12th win of the season.

“It wasn’t all our way, was it, but we knew that would be the case, they are a very good side - so we knew it was going to be a massive challenge going in,” Nicks said.

“‘Where did we win it?’, I just think we adapted as we were challenged with injury, challenged by our oppo and we just kept adapting, it was a gutsy win.

“And in the end we found a way to not crawl over the line, but just hang in there when we were down a few soldiers.

“But that was a big win, a big win for our footy Club.”

Three talls in full-flight

Adelaide’s three-pronged tall forward attack was in full-flight on Saturday afternoon, as Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty combined for 11 critical majors.

Thilthorpe was the star of the show, booting a career-high six goals to lead the Crows to victory, while Fogarty (three) and Walker (two) played pivotal helping hands.

Nicks said his forward’s ability to fire stemmed from the work the team was doing up the field to give them the best opportunity.

“Similar to our oppo, if we were able to get the game on our terms and move the footy, our three talls were going to be hard to stop,” Nicks said.

“And we got our chances with that, I thought we gave them the best opportunity, not taking away from the job they (our forwards) did because they took some strong contested marks.

“But it all comes back to team.

"If we are there and all playing our role as a team, well Riley Thilthorpe is going to be really hard to stop, Taylor Walker is so smart and will make the most of his chances, and Darcy Fogarty is in some ripping form - so their performances really encapsulated how we went as a team.”

Curtin’s substantial improvement

Second-year Crow Daniel Curtin continued his excellent run of form, with a prolific performance against the Bulldogs.

Growing in stature every week, Curtin was a constant presence on the wing, finishing with 26 disposals, seven marks and a goal.

Nicks said the growth of the Western Australian had been a pleasure to watch from the coaching box.

“When you mention his name I can’t help but smile,” Nicks said.

“He’s one of those ones that you are in awe of what he’s doing for such a young and inexperienced player.

“His game has grown substantially in the past month or two, just the confidence levels he’s playing with at the moment it’s incredible, and we are playing this guy in roles that are really important for us.

“When the opposition are coming at us it’s a bit like, let’s go to Dan Curtin because he’ll get it done for us.”

Crows make pivotal statement

The Crows entered the game in need of a statement win on the road, to further prove their credibility as a contender.

The Crows’ first win against a top-eight team away from Adelaide Oval, the performance was just another feather in the cap of this rising Crows side.

And Adelaide rose to the challenge against the Bulldogs, as it quelled the high-powered Bulldogs in what the coach labelled “a total team performance.”

“I think it is a big statement, because of the respect we have for the Western Bulldogs and the way they play football at Marvel, and what they are able to do if they are able to get the game on their terms,” Nicks said.

“We knew the challenge going in, and to execute it the way we did, the intercept game, the way we used the ball when it was our opportunity and our ability to shut down some of their game as well.

“It was a real team performance, right across the board from our Captain through to Chayce Jones coming on as the sub early - a total performance for us.”

Further updates on Butts and Cook

Adelaide suffered two match-ending injuries against the Bulldogs, with Jordon Butts (lung) and Brayden Cook (concussion) both unable to finish the game.

Butts was sent to hospital where it was revealed he had sustained a collapsed lung, while Cook came off second-best in a tough collision and ruled out with concussion.

Nicks provided the following update on the duo.

“Our doctors are professionals, Marc Cesana is an incredible operator, so he assessed him straight away and it was a suspected collapsed lung,” Nicks said.

“So he shot-off straight to hospital to see the specialist involved, and it was confirmed as a collapsed lung, so he won’t travel back with us and spend the night here with the right people around him to make sure that he gets what needs from here on.

“We won’t know any more information until the specialist comes in and checks him out further.

“And then with Brayden unfortunately it was just a big collision of two players going at the footy, and for him especially being his first game back and he was showing some stuff.

“After the game he came up to me and said ‘can you believe it’, he just wants to play footy, and we’ll get around him and ensure all the necessary precautions are taken.”

Adelaide will now enjoy three-straight home games, starting with a blockbuster clash against Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval next Sunday, with the first bounce at 4.10pm (ACST).

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