THE TRAGIC loss of former Adelaide coach Phil Walsh has ensured the tight-knit Crows can handle whatever comes their way, midfielder Rory Atkins says.
Walsh died in 2015 before Atkins made his senior debut, and he said the way the playing group has come together through adversity will help them in tomorrow’s Grand Final.
"We are a strong group and all the things we’ve experienced have brought us closer together, so we’re a tight group and I’m sure it will hold us in good stead tomorrow," Atkins said at Friday’s Grand Final Parade.
Walsh’s death is not the only tragedy Adelaide has had to overcome, after ruckman Sam Jacobs’ brother passed away just days after the end of the home and away season.
"There’s a few things that have brought us closer together that teams don’t usually experience over the last couple of years," Atkins said.
Fellow midfielder Brad Crouch agreed that the club’s recent trials and tribulations have led to a strong bond.
"Over the last couple of years, we have found that we have had some things go wrong for us, but we’re a tight group and I think it has brought us closer together," Crouch said.
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Adelaide star Rory Sloane highlighted that the team now belongs to Crows coach Don Pyke, and was solely focused on winning the club’s first premiership since 1998.
"This is Pykey’s team now and we’ve been working really hard for the last couple of years with Pykey," he said.
"Pykey’s message will be strong and clear tomorrow, and that’s play our way."
Though Atkins didn’t support a particular team growing up and admitted he "chopped and changed" between the top clubs, he used to attend the parade and said it was bizarre to be a part of it.
"It’s a pretty surreal feeling, because I’ve been here a couple of times as a kid looking into the utes and I’m actually sitting in one now," he said.
Atkins said he was looking forward to a “chockers” MCG as Adelaide and Richmond end their Grand Final droughts, and was confident that the Crows could produce their best football in the biggest game of all.
"It’s been nearly 20 years since we’ve been there and 35 since the Tigers have been there, so it’s going to be a big day, I can’t wait," Atkins said.
"We have had a good year to date, so it would be the cherry on top if we were to come away with the cup tomorrow."