Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks is in awe of captain Jordan Dawson after a best-afield performance in Sunday's 99-point win over West Coast.
Dawson amassed a season-high 32 possessions, two goals, nine marks, nine inside 50s, 11 score involvements and two goal assists, putting the game beyond doubt for the Eagles.
Midfield
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Post-game, Nicks touched on how valuable the former Swan is to the side, alluding to the fact that his on-field brilliance is just the beginning.
"He leads example on the field, that's what everyone can see," Nicks said.
"He has got the other part (of the game)... there's a reason we picked him as our captain.
"And it wasn't just because of what he was doing on field. He's as good as any. He's come in and he's learnt from the best. He was lucky enough to have Rory Sloane in charge when he got here, 'Tex' Walker still at the club as a former captain.
"To have those bonuses there that he can learn from, share ideas, share thoughts for 12 months and then take the role himself.
Jordan Dawson's left leg in all it's glory ๐ pic.twitter.com/qgRxi3mBOC
— Kuwarna (@Adelaide_FC) May 26, 2024
"But he brought leadership with him which is what we saw in him when we went after him to acquire him. He's a player who leads by voice, by the way, he puts his head over the footy."
Fellow midfielder Jake Soligo was surprisingly quiet by his lofty standards after raising the bar in 2024.
Slotting one major from 14 disposals and three clearances, Nicks and the Adelaide coaching staff made the call to pull Soligo from the ground, giving substitute Sam Berry a chance.
Dismissing all fears, the Crows coach said it was a more tactical approach with the 21-year-old, whose move into a full-time midfield role is being managed for the "long term".
"This is something we've been looking at now for a number of weeks," Nicks admitted.
"He's a first-year full-time mid and he's had a huge impact for us and we know that it will become quite grinding for some of those players who haven't done it.
"So, it was a plan coming in, if things were going well... and that played out really well for us.
"And hopefully that sets us up for 'Soli' to be a little fresher.
"No injury there, more of a long-term view."
Adelaide will turn their attention to Hawthorn in a bid to continue resurrecting their season after a slow start.
