Adelaide coach Don Pyke wants his AFL players to bask in their gripping 10-point win against Sydney – but only briefly.
Pyke say while Adelaide’s victory against the Swans deserves to be celebrated, he’s already mindful of the next challenge: superpower Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night.
“It’s important they enjoy and celebrate what they achieved,” Pyke said post-match after Adelaide’s 17.17 (113) to 15.13 (103) triumph on Saturday night.
“But it’s got to basically last for tonight. We have got six days into Hawthorn next Friday night and there is no bigger challenge than Hawthorn at the MCG.
“But it’s important they enjoy and reflect on it together and understand the collective bond that they’re creating is what can help create things on the field.
“It’s important they do that but we have got to move on pretty quickly because we have got a big game on Friday night.”
Adelaide’s clash against the Hawks looms as a blockbuster given the Crows’ hot early-season form – three wins from four starts.
The Crows trailed Sydney by a point at three quarter-time but kicked five goals to three in a rousing final term.
“We kept taking the game on which allowed us to keep the scoreboard ticking over,” Pyke said.
“It was the perserverance and consistency of our group … it’s hard to say `this guy was a standout’
“We are just getting a really good, even contribution of guys playing their role with a real team-first attitude. And that is what we have asked all along.
“We were able to find a way.
“A component of that is composure, a component is effort. To a man, when each was called at some point, they stood up and did what we wanted them to do.”