AFTER "copping it for six months", Adelaide midfielder Hugh Greenwood says the Crows have finally buried their Grand Final demons and can focus on achieving the ultimate prize.
The Crows made an emphatic statement with a rousing 36-point victory over Richmond at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
Greenwood said the Crows didn't let the intense scrutiny generated by reports of their pre-season camp distract them from getting their first win of the season.
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"We've had a big week as you know, so to put that aside and to put four quarters together was massive," Greenwood told AFL.com.au.
"We've been copping it for six months, so this week was just another week on top of the last six months since the Grand Final.
"The togetherness of the group, the unity of the group, we brushed that aside and focused on what we needed to do.
"We can't get back what happened six months ago, we can put this to bed now and look forward to the rest of the season."
The Crows lost ball magnet Matt Crouch in the second quarter with a hamstring injury, but the rest of the midfield stepped up.
Star recruit Bryce Gibbs was huge with 28 possessions, 20 of those contested, Cam Ellis-Yolmen (28 disposals) roared back after missing last year with a torn ACL, Greenwood (26, including 19 contested) was massive and vice-captain Rory Sloane had 25 and two goals despite being hampered by a foot injury.
Sloane and skipper Taylor Walker, who booted four goals, set the tone for their teammates to follow.
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"It's massive, we feed off them, they're our leaders for a reason and they're fantastic leaders and lead by example and by voice as well," Greenwood said.
"When we see them doing that sort of stuff, other players thrive off it."
WATCH: Greenwood shows some fancy moves
Greenwood had a more settled preparation than this time last week when he was a late inclusion for Sam Gibson, who injured his hamstring during the club's final training session in Melbourne on Thursday afternoon.
Coach Don Pyke and head of football Brett Burton urgently tried to get in contact with Greenwood to tell him he might be required to face Essendon.
"I was having a nap and I woke up to about 10 missed calls from Pykey and Bird (Burton) and Emma Barr, our welfare manager and I called them back, half asleep, asked them what's going on," Greenwood said.
"They said ‘we need you to get on a flight by 7pm, Sam's pulled up a bit sore, he'll have a scan in the morning, but you might be playing’.
"So I was like alright, I rolled up out of bed, got a haircut and I was on a flight."
