Wingman David Mackay says it’s important Adelaide builds a winning culture after the Club’s 10-goal NAB Challenge victory over Port Adelaide.

Despite missing several key players, including Scott Thompson, Ben Rutten, Rory Laird and Andy Otten, Adelaide was never headed in the Crows’ opening hit out of 2014. Mackay said the Crows had made a point of trying to carry good momentum into the premiership season.

“Every time we put the jumper on, we want to go out there to play well and play to win,” Mackay said.

“I think it’s important that we try and get back that habit of winning.”

After a grueling summer, Mackay said the players were rapt to return to competition and put four months of planning into practice.

“We’ve had a long pre-season and it was good to actually get 120 minutes of a competitive hit out,” Mackay said.

“We’ve been doing a fair bit of match simulation at training, but nothing compares to playing against opposition over four quarters. It’s always good to get the first game under your belt.”

After a disappointing 2013 season, Mackay has been a standout of Adelaide’s pre-season campaign. 

The 25-year-old’s training form carried into Sunday’s game against Port Adelaide. The damaging ball winner moved freely, collecting 26 disposals, six marks and five inside 50ms in a variety of roles through the Crows midfield.

Mackay said he was eager to put the frustration of last year to bed and recapture his best form in 2014.

“I certainly want to have a better year than I had last year and I’ve put a few steps in place over pre-season that will hopefully allow me to do that,” Mackay said.

“The number one thing was to get my body right and get to this point of the year, where I can feel really good and be fit and healthy, and I can certainly tick that box.

“There are still a few things I need to work on before the start of the season, but I’m really confident that I can have a good year and be part of a winning team.”

Another Crow who responded well in the win over Port Adelaide was Matthew Wright, who was best afield with 36 disposals and two goals.

Like Mackay, Wright was below his best last season, but his performance against the Power was a timely reminder to the football world of just how damaging he can be.

Mackay said a core group of players who had sub-par 2013 seasons were leading the charge as the Club builds towards the new season.

“There are a few guys who have come back with a bit of a point to prove,” Mackay said.

“It’s pushed everyone to go to another level and help get us back [to] where we want to be, which is playing finals and winning finals.”

Adelaide’s next NAB Challenge match is against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Monday, February 24.