Adelaide returned to the field after its bye in commanding fashion, recording a 68-point win against Richmond at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The Crows had nine different goal kickers, with key forward Riley Thilthorpe leading the way, ending the match with five majors.

Defender Max Michalanney switched from defence into attack to boot a career-high three goals, while Josh Rachele, Taylor Walker and Dan Curtin were the other multiple goal kickers, booting two each.

Crows Senior Coach Matthew Nicks spoke to the media post-game, delivering these five key takeaways.

Max moves forward

Third-year Crow and father-son recruit Max Michalanney lined-up in all 59 of his AFL matches before the clash against Richmond as a dashing defender.

But on Sunday, Nicks decided to switch it up and had the son of Norwood great Jim Michalanney feature in the forward line.

The move proved pivotal to Adelaide’s win, with the 21-year-old having an immediate impact, booting the first goal of the game.

He then went on to finish the match with three majors, four marks, 90 per cent disposal efficiency and seven score involvements.

Nicks revealed the strategic move was done with an aim of limiting Richmond triple premiership player Nick Vlastuin.

“(It was) Maxy’s idea, I always give credit to someone when it works,” Nicks said.

“He was great, he played an important role. We have a lot of respect for (Nick) Vlastuin and the way he plays his footy and he’s hurt us a lot over the years.

“It was one part of the game that we wanted to get right and Max was able to hit the scoreboard off the back of his teammates playing important roles - turning the ball over front and centre, making it hard for their defenders.

“In the end it was a good move, one that we’ll continue to look at with Max, he’s got a lot of flexibility with where he can play.”

Full-team performance

The Crows’ commanding win was built off a full-team performance, according to Nicks.

Adelaide won the hit-outs (47-34), contested possessions (142-114) and the tackle count (56-51), while supporting each other across every line.

The Crows had lost their last four matches against Richmond at the MCG, with the last win  at the venue against the Tigers, before Sunday’s result, being in 2008.

Nicks said his side’s ability to play their role impressed him the most.

“We knew our record going in wasn’t strong against them, (and) coming off a bye, we had a really deliberate focus on the things we wanted to get right today and we did it,” Nicks said.

“Our group showed great maturity to get it done, so that was really pleasing as a coach sitting back and watching our guys go to work.

“We know we play our best footy when we play as a team. There will be things that aren’t necessarily noticed on the TV screen but things we value highly.

“Efforts where guys are replacing and working hard defensively - we didn’t necessarily start the game off as we wanted to, but we were able to right the ship, get it back on our terms.”

On Butts limiting Tigers’ spearhead Tom Lynch

Crows defender Jordon Butts produced arguably one of his best performances, keeping Richmond key forward Tom Lynch to just two touches and one goal.

The match against Richmond was Butts’ eighth for the year, after working hard in the SANFL, before earning a recall in Round Eight.

Nicks said he was proud of Butts’ game and the way he was able to nullify the two-time Premiership Tiger.

“I was really impressed with Buttsy,” Nicks said.

“It was a ruthless performance - again (he received) a lot of help from the team and the way the ball was coming in.

“But playing on one of the best forwards in the competition and to limit his impact to the level that he did, we can’t ask for any more from our full-back.

“It was a great match-up, a really important one, Lynch is one of the best forwards in the competition, so it was a great result.”

Dan’s day out

Fresh off inking a new, three-year deal, utility Dan Curtin enjoyed a day out against the Tigers.

The second-year Crow spent much of the match on the wing, recording a career-high 26 disposals, 11 score involvements, eight intercept possessions, 495 metres gained and two goals.

“He’s always been a fit lad, he’s got in the gym, he’s embraced what being a professional is, as good as I’ve seen a young player do,” Nicks said.

“He was an early draft pick for a reason, I’m not surprised with where he’s at, at the moment, but I’m pleased.

“Some of the stuff he’s doing, I have to turn away and smile because he’s playing well above his age and experience.

“It’s really exciting for our footy Club… He’s getting what he deserves at the moment for working hard.”

Crows’ discipline impresses coach

Adelaide’s ability to remain cool and calm, despite some heated moments in the game, was another aspect that pleased the Senior Coach.

The Crows were awarded a few 50m penalties due to Richmond’s frustrations boiling over but did not give away any themselves.

Nicks said that had been an area his players had worked hard on.

“When our opposition is frustrated and angry, it means we are doing something right,” Nicks said.

“It’s an area we probably haven’t been best at in the past.

“Again, when you talk about mature and what a mature team does, well we are going to stick up for our mates, we are going to hold our own and stand our ground, but we are not going to go past that.

“We are going to switch straight back on, direct our focus onto footy again and I thought we did that very well.

“It got quite heated there for a moment, that’s sport, that’s why we love sport, but our guys did focus back in on the job pretty quickly.”

The Crows will look to continue their winning form when they take on Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, July 6, at 2.45pm.

Tickets available here.