Matthew Nicks was equal components proud AFL coach and star-struck fan boy after Adelaide opened Gather Round with a surprising 56-point upset win over Carlton.
He is encouraging his gamers to experience the wave after they carried out so nicely in such a giant sport.
Adding to Nicks’ huge Thursday evening at Adelaide Oval, singer Guy Sebastian was within the rooms post-match.
“Even I lost my composure for five or 10 minutes – photos and autographs. I do love him,” Nicks mentioned after the 18.10 (118) to 9.8 (62) win.
“But our players just remained focused and smiled their way through.”
It was their third win in a row and ended Carlton’s unbeaten begin to the season.
Significantly, Adelaide’s scintillating first quarter was their finest soccer because the 2017 preliminary ultimate win over Geelong.
The Crows haven’t made the highest eight since.
“Our squad is so strong at the moment and I don’t want our guys to hide from that – I want them to enjoy and embrace form,” Nicks mentioned.
“Form is fickle and we know it can disappear really quickly. We want our group to remain really confident and believe in themselves – that’s what you saw (against Carlton).
“They simply put it collectively. That’s our problem, to do it once more.”
Adelaide mauled Carlton in the first quarter with eight goals, but Nicks was more proud of how his team handled the rest of the game.
The Blues were always going to respond and they were only 24 points behind early in the last term.
But the Crows first held them off and then killed Carlton’s challenge later in the final quarter.
“This is a good step for us, to have the ability to play a giant stage and get it executed,” Nicks mentioned.
“We have not executed it since I’ve been on the footy membership.”
While Adelaide kicked more than 100 points, they were happier that they restricted Carlton to only 62.
It is the lowest score kicked against the Crows this season.
That earned the team next Wednesday off, thanks to a deal that was struck on the night between the players and coaches.
“I can let you know, there are a number of completely happy boys in that room … that the quantity was 62.
“That number is a lot more important than the number (score) we put up.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
