To borrow a phrase from Brent Reilly and Graham Johncock, who spoke at the Shed post-game, caretaker coach Mark Bickley ‘unleashed the shackles’ at AAMI Stadium in Showdown XXXI.
The release was virtually immediate as Taylor Walker, a long awaited inclusion to the side, scored our first goal from the tip of the goal square. It continued in the opening term as Andy Otten steadied for a major from 50 out and Jack Gunston booted the ball out of the park with his first.
Despite our cross-town rivals sitting last on the ladder we appeared a rejuvenated side who weren’t afraid to take risks and play with intensity and instinct.
Gone was the continuous bombing of the ball as well as the sideways and backwards hesitative looks searching for a stationary option the opposite way from goal. Our kick-ins also improved out of sight and heads remained high even when the opposition kicked a couple in a row.
The statistics tell the story as we finished 18 up on clearances, laid 10 more tackles than Port and won the inside 50 count by 20 entries. It was also only the third time we’ve cracked the 100-point barrier this season, with the previous tons coming against Hawthorn and Gold Coast.
While we still made mistakes and were hampered by some sloppy skills I saw a playing group who were inspired by the simplicity of their football again and in the stands a crowd who were cheering on their long lost Crows once more.
The charge was lead from the front by our captain Nathan van Berlo. I’ve been a tough critic of his this year and on Sunday he showed why he has the potential to become another inspiring leader at our club.
Awarded the Showdown medal for best afield, van Berlo joined a handful of his colleagues who looked refreshed in a slightly different role. He was thrust into the thick of the midfield and I must say I loved how he instigated the retaliation when David Mackay was knocked high late after a mark.
We’ve severely missed that toughness and aggression not only for the ball but also for our teammates.
I’ll add to that aforementioned group Bernie Vince, Chris Knights, Taylor Walker, Ivan Maric, Brent Reilly, Brodie Smith, Jack Gunston and Aidan Riley.
The key for these players and the entire group will be to carry this momentum for the duration of what’s left of the season. Inconsistency has plagued us this year and it will be vital to our blossoming confidence to carry through the positives from our win over the Power.
Our challenge starts this coming weekend against a lowly Lions outfit in the sunshine state. The match marks itself as the perfect follow up game and as a prime opportunity to nab our first win on the road this season.
Time will tell against greater opposition whether our rejuvenation will stack up. I’m sure it won’t be all smooth sailing but for now we seem to be back on track and heading in the right direction.
