They lived the values that Rory Sloane played 16 years of footy with
Rory Sloane's retirement during the week offered the Crows some extra motivation in Thursday's night showdown with Port Adelaide.
"We were [able to play for him]," Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said post game
"The stuff we went through this week, having Sloaney speak to the group, to be able to sit through what he values in career and what the football club meant to him, I think made an impact.
"23 players came out the field today, saying they lived the values that Rory Sloane played 16 years of footy with."
On the game as a whole Nicks said;
"That was a really good performance.
"We knew the game had to play out a certain way, we were able to get it to do that.
"It couldn't be more perfect from our point of view.
"We threw the first punch, that set us up, we had the ascendancy.
"It was a grind, we knew they'd come and they have done that against every side they have come up against.
"For our guys to dig in and get it done was really pleasing, it was a really mature performance."
Nicks also said that it was important the players were rewarded for their hard work;
"You can believe in yourself, but it’s when you have outcomes and results that go your way because of the way that you've gone about it, it’s so reinforcing.
"You learn so much when you lose a game of footy, but when you win them in the way you went into the game with, it’s even more rewarding.
"We're not worried about wins and loses, we knew we were playing some decent footy, and tonight backs that up for us.
"We played the game really well depending on the scenario, that's the reason I'm so pleased."
Adelaide owed a lot to their backline: from 57 entries, Port had only 23 scoring shots.
"Our backs were outstanding," Nicks said
"They did such as amazing job as a group.
"They were ruthless, they never gave up."
One of those defenders was Daniel Curtin, who debuted for the Crows.
"I'm really pleased with how Dan went.
"I thought early it was really hot, Port's pressure was right up.
"When we talk about Keane, Butts and Worrell's names, Dan Curtin sits in there as well, he was just as important.
"He had some real key moments.
"In the end we made the sub, we had the 250 gamer sitting on the bench."
When ask why it was Curtin who was subbed, Nicks said this;
"All going to plan, it was likely to be one of our defenders [subbed out], and a young lad who played his role to that point. [He'd] done a fantastic job for three quarters.
"[The sub was made] around a group that going really well and moreso the experience that was ready to come onto the ground."
Jake Soligo won the Showdown Medal for his best on ground performance.
"It's super exciting, to be alongside those great names, that have played for Crows and Port." Soligo said.
"I can't do it without [Matt] Crouch, Lairdy, [Rory Laird] and [Jordan] Dawson in the midfield.
"I thought they were super tonight.
"It's important not get to ahead of ourselves, we'll go and review it and move on from there I'd say."
"He's had a fantastic month of football," Nicks said on Soligo.
"There's more upside still to come.
"Tonight was a performance that he's put out for about a month, tonight was a big one in a big game."
Adelaide will face Brisbane on Sunday afternoon at the Adelaide Oval.