DON PYKE saw Adelaide recapture some of its best form against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night and lauded the bounce-back performance of milestone man Rory Sloane.
The Crows made light work of the Lions and coach Pyke said it was their contested football and tackling pressure that pleased him most after heavy losses to North Melbourne and Melbourne.
Adelaide kicked 18 goals to four after quarter-time to steamroll the hapless hosts.
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"There was some good signs there," Pyke said. "We brought a couple of new players in and we saw a couple of guys continue to play good footy and return to play good footy."
One of those was Sloane, who broke free of two weeks in the tagging doldrums to rack up 31 disposals.
In the past fortnight, Kangaroo Sam Gibson and Demon Bernie Vince had kept the star midfielder to 18 and 11 touches respectively.
But a heavy tag from young Lion Nick Robertson wasn't going to slow Sloane down in his 150th game.
Five talking points: Brisbane Lions v Adelaide
"I thought he clearly won that battle from where I sat," Pyke said.
"He had over 30 possessions, nearly 20 contested (19) and he was influential for mine on the game.
"We always said with Rory, it was probably adapting to the change and the new focus of taggers coming to him.
"He learned a lot over the first two weeks and he was able to put that into practice tonight."
Many of the Adelaide fans at the Gabba were there for Rory Sloane's 150th. Picture: AFL Photos
Pyke said keeping the Lions to just four goals after the first term pleased him – as did champion forward Eddie Betts.
WATCH Don Pyke's full media conference
Betts produced another contender for Goal of the Year among his three goals and was a willing teammate, giving off four assists.
"What can you say? He's unique.
"I haven't seen anyone else like him.
"When he does things like that (goal) you just shake your head. He's a special player and he does special things and that's great for the game, the fans, our supporters and puts a smile on my face at times as well, which is great."
