Adelaide Crows coach Matthew Nicks pinpointed a disastrous opening phase as the decisive factor in his team’s narrow defeat to Geelong on Thursday evening. Following the 13-point loss, Nicks candidly described his squad’s initial performance by stating, ‘we were still on the bus,’ highlighting a critical period where they conceded the first ten inside-50 entries.
The Crows entered the match significantly hampered by the absence of key experienced players Jordan Dawson, Taylor Walker, Rory Laird, and Callum Ah Chee. Despite these challenges and widespread expectations of a straightforward Geelong victory, Adelaide demonstrated resilience and managed to compete on even terms with their more seasoned opponents for the majority of the contest after the poor start.
Nicks acknowledged the potential impact of the missing leadership, noting that losing such experience undoubtedly challenges a team’s ability to control the game, especially with several players featuring in their first ten AFL matches. He expressed disappointment that the team’s depth was exposed so early, emphasizing that the opening ten minutes were an anomaly they must urgently review.
In a positive twist, Adelaide fought back valiantly and even seized the lead during the final term following a long-range goal from Alex Neal-Bullen. Nicks, however, dismissed the differing break schedules—Adelaide played the previous Friday while Geelong was returning from a bye—as a contributing factor to the result.
A concerning moment arose when defender Jordon Butts was removed from the field for a concussion assessment after a collision in a marking contest. Nicks reported the medical procedure was handled with utmost professionalism. Looking forward, the coach is optimistic about reintegrating Dawson, Laird, and Walker for the upcoming clash against Fremantle.