{"id":117604,"date":"2022-09-28T09:40:28","date_gmt":"2022-09-27T23:40:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=117604"},"modified":"2022-09-28T09:40:29","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T23:40:29","slug":"clarke-satisfied-with-strong-performance-masterclass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2022\/09\/28\/clarke-satisfied-with-strong-performance-masterclass\/","title":{"rendered":"Clarke satisfied with \u201cstrong performance masterclass\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ADELAIDE Crows AFLW Coach Matthew Clarke <\/em><\/strong>was satisfied with his side\u2019s 96-point win over GWS and the consistency his team showed for four quarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat was strong. Our contest numbers were off the chart, and we were efficient too,\u201d Clarke said post-match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a tough start to the season and not playing the style the Crows are well known for, Clarke noted the pleasing aspects on the win and how the win has built the team\u2019s momentum for their season going forward.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll of our games have been tight and tense,” he said. “We\u2019ve had to find ways to get over the line. In some ways, that holds us in really good stead, to get used to playing in the high intensity and high pressure of footy. Against the Giants, it broke open for us. It was built off the same things we\u2019ve been doing for the last month, and it was good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got a 10-week competition. It\u2019s really tight and to get a big win helps our percentage and it\u2019s probably going to be significant down the stretch and in some ways, the result. The way we went away achieving that result was the contest numbers which we were most happy with. We really rate GWS in that area. Every time we play them historically, it\u2019s been fierce around the ball and we were coming in expecting that and I thought they brought the intensity but ours was better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the Adelaide Crows setting the benchmark, recording the highest score and margin in AFLW history, Clarke spoke of how the forward line has been a work in progress over the last few weeks and what it means of having a high percentage boost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was very pleasing to kick 15.7,” he said. “For McKenzie [Dowrick<\/a>], to come into the team and kick four goals was great. Hatch [Anne Hatchard<\/a>], who had three shots on goal against Collingwood and sprayed those shots on goal and to finish the game with three goals was nice. Ash [Woodland<\/a>] has been pretty consistent for us. It was a good spread of forward contributions in the forward half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like the percentage and I\u2019m really happy about that. It\u2019s the result of lots of players working really hard for not only in the short term, but over long periods of time. They\u2019ve continued to build their games and you have days which are really pleasing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst the likes of Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff<\/a> had stellar performances, Clarke also noted the impact and role that Chelsea Randall<\/a> has continued to help the team in being successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dChelsea\u2019s a pretty good player,” he said. “We\u2019re very fortunate to have access to someone who\u2019s her quality, but also her versatility. We were keen in the offseason to make sure she would continue to develop individually, as well as to help the team and I think she\u2019s been enjoying some of the roles she\u2019s playing thus far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHatchy and Ebony are pretty consistent every week. Sometimes you take it for granted that they keep showing up and perform at that level each week. It was a really strong performance from both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the debut of Jess Waterhouse<\/a>, Clarke noted how much of a hard worker she is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJess has trained really hard and deserved her opportunity. She\u2019s got some forward craft and I\u2019m really pleased for her,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the first AFLW showdown between in sight for the first time between the two South Australian sides, Clarke acknowledged how important it is for South Australia football and the wider competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be great and it\u2019s going to be a great occasion. This Friday night it\u2019s the start of the school holidays. It\u2019s clearly well positioned,” he said. “Hopefully the South Australian community gets behind it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It\u2019s a great rivalry, both clubs are really proud and two traditional clubs. We\u2019ll be looking to put up a good show as will Port. It will be a good event and encourage as many out there to get there as possible, it\u2019ll be great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Showdowns are special. Get amongst it and enjoy that rivalry. Rivalries are important in footy, and we\u2019ve got a cracker here in South Australia. Embrace that and in the end it\u2019s a game of footy and you have to prepare as any other game. There\u2019s no doubt within this town a showdown\u2019s a big deal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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