Returning Crow Brad Crouch says it was pleasing to turn the tables on arch rivals Port Adelaide after two heartbreaking Showdown defeats last season.
Adelaide held handy leads in both 2013 Showdowns only to be overrun by the fast-finishing Power. Port Adelaide extended its winning streak over the Crows to three with victory in Round Two this season.
The Crows led by 10 points at three-quarter time on Sunday and pulled away further in the final term, outscoring the Power by 13 points.
Crouch said the group was determined not to let the game slip.
“We know that (fitness) is what Port go to and they’ve come over the top of sides this season,” Crouch said on Monday.
“But we know within ourselves we’re pretty fit too and traditionally have been. We backed ourselves in and didn’t think too much about it even though they have run over us in the last couple of Showdowns.
“The message at three-quarter time was just that, ‘We are fit as well and we can do it’. We did have run in our legs. It wasn’t like we were all down getting massages (at three-quarter time) or anything. We knew we were ready to go.
“It was really good to do that to them.”
The match was Crouch’s first since fracturing his leg against Port Adelaide in Round Two. It was also his first Showdown victory in three attempts.
“It was good, personally, to be a part of my first Showdown win and our first one for the season. It’s probably the best win we’ve had this year,” he said.
“It was amazing.”
The Crows now sit in ninth place on the AFL ladder, one win outside the top eight.
Despite the big win, Crouch said it was too early for Adelaide to start thinking about finals, adding that consecutive victories was the Club’s primary objective.
“There’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride and we’ve been up and down. Now, the first thing we want to do is win back-to-back games,” Crouch said.
“We’ve got GWS this week and our focus will turn to them after we do our game review this afternoon. We know GWS are a really good side. They’ve knocked off some serious teams this year. They beat Sydney earlier in the year and start games well.
“We’ve got to make sure, especially with the way we’ve been going – winning and then losing – that we’re right on our game.”
Crouch made a brilliant AFL return, collecting 28 possessions, six clearances and a goal.
The Rising Star runner-up said he’d recovered better than expected from his first hit out at the highest level in three months.
“I’m fine actually. I had two games in the SANFL and then the big training last week … so I thought I was reasonably well prepared and ready to go,” he said.
“I knew the Showdown would be massive and that Port run really hard as well, but my body has pulled up quite well. I wasn’t cramping at the end of the game or anything like that.
“It’s just that real footy fitness you get that only comes from playing games.”
Now that Crouch has returned to the Crows side, he’s keen to play a game alongside younger brother, Matt. Matt has played seven games so far in his debut AFL season but none with his sibling.
“That’d be nice at some stage. I don’t know when that’s going to happen. Hopefully, it’s some stage this year,” Brad said.
“He’s playing reasonably well and has been in and out of the side all year. We’ve got a quality midfield at the moment, so it’s pretty tough for him.
“He’s just focusing on developing wherever he plays whether that’s SANFL or AFL.”
