Adelaide Assistant Coach Nathan van Berlo says playing in tough, rainy conditions suits the Crows’ style of footy.

The Crows recorded a 31-point victory over the Eagles at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon, as the rain poured down for most of the match.

Speaking to the media on Monday, van Berlo said Adelaide enjoyed playing under those conditions and the victory was a reward for all the hard work the side had been putting in. 

“It was a really good reward for effort for the boys who we feel like put in a really solid body of work over the past five or six weeks against some quality opposition,” van Berlo said.

“To the boys’ credit they really embraced the conditions.

“It poured down with rain, literally within minutes of the game starting and our game style is really suited to those wet, trying conditions.

“The way we play our game when we’re up and about is a real contested style of game and we get the ball moving in our direction.

“Sometimes the wet conditions mean the predictable thing is the easiest and the most reliable thing to do, so we adapted well on the weekend.”

Adelaide’s goal kicking also improved in the clash with the Eagles, and the Crows took a 31-point lead into quarter-time as they booted 5.2, while holding West Coast to one point.

“We found a nice balance with just getting the ball going our way, versus just getting numbers around the contest and our forwards were able to capitalise and we put the scoreboard pressure on,” van Berlo said.

“It’s amazing what kind of difference that makes.

“Compare the first quarter on the weekend to the first quarter against the Cats - we go in with five goals versus five behinds and it makes a big difference.

“I guess when you talk system, team defence, team offence, the way that we’ve been able to get cohesion in the group has made a huge inroad for us the past couple of months.”

Young defender Patrick Parnell made his debut on the weekend and, despite going down with a quad injury in the last quarter, van Berlo said the coaches were pleased with his first-game performance.

“The boys were so excited to have Patty run out with us and he deserved his opportunity,” van Berlo said.

“He didn’t look out of place at all out there and he showed in a number of contests his ability to put his head ove the ball and win the hard ball.

“There were still a fair few incidents where he had the ball in hand and he showed that class that he’s got.

“For a first up effort and to play the way he did, we’re all pretty pleased with Patty.”

Adelaide has a bye this weekend, before taking on the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium on Sunday, June 19.