Following the Power's stunning final quarter performance against Adelaide, Salopek said he was proud of his teams’ tenacity when the game was there to be won.
“All we really needed to do was put some scoreboard pressure on and we knew we’d get some easy goals,” Salopek said.
“We knew we had the fitness to run over the top of them.”
Salopek, in his 100th game for the Power, credited Port Adelaide’s fighting spirit to a newfound confidence amongst the playing group.
“The belief and confidence in this group was terrific,” he said.
“Being down the whole day and to come out and win by 23 points was a great feeling.”
The Power equalled their 81 tackles from last weekend’s win against St. Kilda and dominated the Crows in that stat in the final quarter, winning 22 to 10.
“We didn’t play tremendously, but I thought our pressure and intensity lifted to another level in the last quarter,” he said.
Salopek had 24 disposals in the Power’s 23-point win, while Danyle Pearce (21 possessions and a goal) was the most dangerous of the Power’s midfield.
Robbie Gray was easily best-on-ground, kicking 5.4 to take home the Showdown medal.
Gray inspired the Power with two final-quarter goals and a blistering first half display, which kept Port Adelaide in the match.
The effort was even more laudable considering the struggle Gray faced to be fit for the match.
“He had an injury cloud over him all week,” he said.
“So to come out and do that shows the true mental toughness of the guy”.
The Power tackle a confident Essendon at Etihad Stadium next Saturday, with Salopek hoping to make it three wins in a row.
“That’s two on the trot and we play well down there, so hopefully we will get another win next week."
