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6 months ago
27
Adelaide star Jake Soligo had Channel Seven's commentary panel in stitches after his team's win over arch rivals Port on Thursday night when he revealed where he'd hidden his Showdown Medal.
The midfielder snagged the award for a best-on-ground performance that saw him rack up 28 disposals and 10 tackles in the Crows' 12.6 (78) to 5.18 (48) win.
In the sheds after the match the 21-year-old had footy greats Dale Thomas, Joel Selwood and Abbey Holmes in fits of laughter when Thomas asked where his prize was.
'Where has the medal gone?' the former Collingwood and Carlton star asked.
The 21-year-old was a clear choice for the Showdown Medal (pictured) after recording 28 disposals and 10 tackles in the Crows' upset win
Soligo was all smiles after collecting his piece of silverware - and placing it in a very safe place so it wouldn't fall out while he was 'wandering around the oval'
'Ah, it's in me jocks somewhere,' Soligo replied.
'I was wandering around the oval so I didn't want to lose it.'
'We won't go to air on that,' Selwood joked.
After the match, Soligo's fellow Crow Matt Crouch was full of praise as he predicted big things for his teammate.
'He's tough. He's clean around the ball, his workrate is massive as well,' Crouch told reporters on Friday.
Soligo 'absolutely' had the attributes to be among the competition's best midfielders, Crouch said.
'He's very clean and he's a good decision-maker,' he said.
'And as you saw last night his contest stuff is just massive so his development has been really good.'
Crows gun Matt Crouch said Soligo (pictured receiving his medal on Thursday night) has all the skills to be one of the AFL's best midfielders
Crouch, who played his 150th AFL game in the victory against the Power, was also heartened by another factor in the triumph: Adelaide's inexperienced defence.
Irishman Mark Keane (17 games), Josh Worrell (25), Max Michalanney (30), Luke Nankervis (nine) and debutant Dan Curtain restricted Port to only two goals after quarter-time.
'It's really promising,' Crouch said.
'We spoke post-game about the defenders and how well they stood up for us.
'And you forget how little footy they've actually played together so it's very exciting for this footy club to see those guys playing some great footy.'
The Crows host last year's beaten grand finalist Brisbane on Saturday before a MCG meeting against reigning premiers Collingwood.
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