A quiet word with Taylor Walker during a tough week had Adelaide coach Don Pyke convinced his under-fire skipper would send a message to his critics at the SCG.
After Walker booted four goals to lead Friday night’s 12.13 (85) to 10.15 (75) win over the Sydney Swans, Pyke said the statement was vindication for publicly backing him in.
Walker has been under scrutiny over his form and leadership this campaign following an injury-interrupted pre-season.
The pressure intensified this week after the Crows’ shock 48-point home loss to Collingwood, and Pyke revealed he had stepped in to check on the 27-year-old’s wellbeing.
“We deal with what we can control internally and I just asked him how he was travelling,” Pyke said.
“He’s a really proud guy and he’s been a really strong leader of our footy club.
“He hasn’t been happy with his form either, to a point, but he’s still been having an impact.
“This was one of those occasions where he came to play and he came to lead and he did it really well.
“I was super proud of him in particular, especially with some of the opinion that has been around about him.
“Sometimes it helps when you back people in.”
Factoring in the Crows’ heavy injury toll and last week’s lacklustre display, Friday’s stirring 10-point upset could be labelled season-defining.
The second-string side, missing Eddie Betts, Rory Sloane, David Mackay and the Crouch brothers Brad and Matt, led all the way and held off a late Swans charge to reign in adversity.
“It was an important win for us in the circumstances, and more important for the guys who are in the team than the guys who are out,” Pyke said.
“I was pretty clear with the group that I wanted us to focus on who was in and what they were capable of.”
Adelaide will look to continue their revival against Gold Coast at home next Saturday, though they will be without Kyle Hartigan who joins the injury list after hurting his hamstring midway through the second term on Friday.
Pyke hoped Sloane might be ready to return, with others to come in the following three fixtures at Adelaide Oval against Carlton, Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs.
Roger of Sydney
Guest
Crows played well and deserved the win, dont think they can do that every week though. Swannies are looking older each week, need to get the young blokes on the ball and jack and co up forward maybe. Their lack of speed is a problem
Basil 1 of 2
Guest
The Crows are the medias whipping boy. Notice how nothing is written about how useless Charlie Dixon is? A "key" forward that doesn't kick goals... but yeah, Tex with 13 goals in 4 games with an interrupted pre-season is the target.
mcmanpp
Roar Rookie
You can't plan a season around how the team and its captain respond to savage criticism after one loss; you might as well credit the Crows win against Sydney to the critics who found a way to needle the team to action. Tex and his team mates have to know how to win on their own ignition. Having said that, the next 3 rounds should be fairly plain sailing against Carlton, Port & Bulldogs. I score it WIN - TOSS-UP - WIN for the Crows. The Giants, Hawks & Richmond games later on will tell us if the Crows can stand up and keep standing up.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Wayne Carey and Dermie reckon Tex is soft and scared and pulls short steps to some contests?