Adelaide midfielder David Mackay says he has no issues with Bernie Vince’s tough tagging tactics on Patrick Dangerfield during Saturday’s Crows-Demons clash.
Vince needled his former teammate all game at Adelaide Oval, physically harassing the key midfielder at every stoppage.
The former Crow held Dangerfield behind play, tackled him fiercely and roughed him up at any opportunity.
It eventually contributed to an all-in scuffle at three-quarter time.
Watch Dangerfield and Vince go head-to-head
After Adelaide secured a hard-fought victory, Crows coach Phil Walsh said Adelaide’s ability to remain focused and secure the four points was a better demonstration of true toughness.
Mackay, who shone in miserable conditions with 23 possessions and a goal, said former teammate Vince simply nailed his role and would have been praised by coach Demons Paul Roos.
Roos confirmed Mackay's assumption in his post-match press conference.
"Bernie's a smart player and knows how to get under people's skin … he had a role and I'm sure they (the Demons) would have been pleased with how he executed his role," Mackay said.
"Bernie had a great time at the Adelaide footy club and was much-loved by players and supporters but he's obviously moved on now.
"As a team, as a midfield group I thought we worked through it pretty well.
"He gives everything, ‘Danger’, and the opposition puts so much attention into him, so he's going to have days where he's reliant on us to step up as the other midfielders.
"We'll certainly try and do that when the hard tag is put on him."
A key element in Saturday’s victory was the ability of Adelaide's midfield group to shine in spite of a smothered Dangerfield.
Mackay led the charge despite being one of the Club's most unlikely wet-weather performers.
The 26-year-old boasts impressive speed and silky skills, attributes that are more often suited to fast grounds and clear weather, not soggy turf and a slippery ball.
Yet he turned it on in the wet, laying 13 tackles and showing enormous courage to take a team-lifting mark running back with the flight of the ball just before three-quarter time.
The mark was hailed by Walsh as the truest form of toughness on a footy field.
Rory Sloane was also in terrific touch (31 possessions, 10 tackles), Richard Douglas was dependable (22 disposals, six tackles, three goal assists) and Cam Ellis-Yolmen continued to show promise with 20 touches and two classy goals.
