Adelaide star Jake Soligo sent Channel Seven’s commentary panel into a tizzy after his team’s victory over arch-rivals Port on Thursday night when he revealed where he had hidden his match-up medal.
The midfielder took the award for his best on-field performance, in which he racked 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 made football greats Dale Thomas, Joel Selwood and Abbey Holmes laugh when Thomas asked where his prize was.
‘Where has the medal gone?’ asked the former Collingwood and Carlton star.
The 21-year-old was a clear choice for the Showdown Medal (pictured) after recording 28 disposals and 10 tackles in the Crows’ surprise victory.
Soligo was all smiles after picking up his silver piece and placing it in a very safe place so it wouldn’t fall while he “wandered around the oval.”
“Ah, it’s inside me, jocks, somewhere,” Soligo responded.
“I was wandering around the oval so I didn’t want to miss it.”
“We’re not going on air about that,” Selwood joked.
After the match, Soligo’s Crow teammate Matt Crouch praised and predicted great things for his teammate.
‘It’s hard. “He’s clean on the ball and his work rate is huge too,” Crouch told reporters on Friday.
Soligo “absolutely” had the attributes to be among the best midfielders in the competition, Crouch said.
“He is very clean and knows how to make good decisions,” he said.
“And as you saw last night, their contest material is huge, so their 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 win against the Power, was also encouraged by another factor in the win: Adelaide’s inexperienced defence.
Ireland’s Mark Keane (17 caps), Josh Worrell (25), Max Michalanney (30), Luke Nankervis (nine) and debutant Dan Curtain limited Port to just two goals after quarter-time.
“It’s really promising,” Crouch said.
‘We talked after the game about the defenders and how well they defended us.
“And you forget how little they’ve played together, so it’s very exciting for this football club to see those guys playing great football.”
The Crows host last year’s defeated grand finalists Brisbane on Saturday ahead of an MCG meeting against incumbent premiers Collingwood.