PORT Adelaide SANFL coach Garry Hocking has praised his side's "team-first" attitude for its 52-point win over the Crows at Alberton Oval on Saturday.
He also credited the support shown by the 6,196 supporters who turned out in the biggest home crowd of the club's season.
The Magpies are undefeated against the Crows after winning its second SANFL Showdown for the season, following a third quarter demolition.
Hocking told portadelaidefc.com.au the crowd's support added to the positive pre-game vibe in the change rooms of a team motivated to redeem for a two-point loss to North Adelaide in Round 13.
"I knew when all the players and coaches rocked up that we were going to be alright today, there was a bit of a vibe around the place," Hocking said.
"Losing by two points to North may as well have been losing by 100 ... we were all disappointed with that [performance] and we hadn't had four or five really good weeks.
"We really wanted our players to start playing for us as a team again, rather than individually.
"That's what we were doing at the start of the year ... we were playing for each other.
"But that dropped off a bit so we needed to start playing well collectively again and they did that today."
Producing a six-goal-to-one third quarter, the Magpies had almost put the game beyond doubt at the final change and Hocking said the team felt the responsibility of rewarding its strong supporter showing.
"At three-quarter time when we were in control of the game, I brought the players over to the crowd to get a bit closer," Hocking said.
"I love the fact that our supporters turned out and we could have them near the players, and the players could really see their support and love for our club.
"You've got to reward the people who come to the game and get the players feeling how much the supporters love the club."
The win leaves Port's difficult July at a 'break-even' 2-2 ledger after suffering losses to West Adelaide and North and the full-game performance was praised by the Magpie principal.
With crucial wins from stoppages and a defensively sound performance from the team's key defenders, the Magpies were able to play a consistent brand of football on a perfect Alberton day.
"Our goal was to play our four quarters," Hocking said
"Moore, Ah Chee, Neade and Summerton were great and their stuff around stoppages was the difference in the third, I reckon.
"We destroyed our inside 50s a bit in the first quarter, but then we had some composure and started to work the ball in, rather than force it.
"Krakouer and Clurey provided us with a bit of flexibility - Clurey took 12 marks today and he was more aggressive on his opponent."
Port Adelaide's final four games pose a significant challenge for a side sitting two games clear atop the ladder.
The first of those tasks is against South Adelaide at Noarlunga Oval on Saturday 2 August.
That encounter is followed by an away trip to Elizabeth against Central District on August 9, before hosting Norwood at Alberton on August 17 and a season-closing encounter with Glenelg the following week.
Hocking won't be leaving anything to chance.
"South have generally played good footy this year, so it will be another challenge and we will do our homework on them," Hocking said.
"We've got four games to go and we need to continue to press hard and stake our claim [for a good ladder position].
"We know there's good teams out there and we are not going to disrespect anyone because we've had our scares.
"We will just keep learning."
