Opinion Matthew Nicks: Adelaide's Coach (Part 4) - Re-Signed to 2027...

[Kane McGoodwin]

Kingy just raised the heat on Dicksy and questioned why Rankine, Dawson and Rachele aren’t being used at CB From the start.

Well we now know what Wayne will be pushing for...

 

[King Elvis]

What he actually mean by this part:

“Our players are very, very clear on… you don’t earn the right to move the ball from your back third”

I briefly considered changing my profile pic when we were minor premiers..briefly.

 

[Velvet George]

thinking more about what he said about losing by 100 points, what frigging message is that sending the players? 1) no confidence in them 2) they’d be shitting themselves to attack

Moron

 

[Velvet George]

More and more criticism and again by Wayne’s man Kingy……

 

[adelaidecrows]

The reason why we seem to be hitting our head against the wall when it comes to Nicks selection is he simply has no imagination, plays it extremely safe and expects too much from fringe players to magically perform. He rarely if ever makes a shock selection. In fact I cant remember him ever doing it.

Have a look at this list

Nankervis - 1 game since R10 2025
Jones - 8 games since start of 2025
Bond - 8 games since start of 2025
Borlase - 4 games since round 20 2024
Cook - 7 games since Round 20 2024
Pedlar - 17 games since round 7 2024
Taylor - 19 Games since start of 2025.
Sholl - 0 games since round 5 2025

Recent delistings
Smith - 26 games in last two years
Murphy 22 games in last two years
McHenry 21 games in last two years
Schoenberg 5 games in last two years
Burgess 8 Games in last two years
Hamill 7 Games in last year
Parnell 6 Games in Last two years

The common pattern we see is Nicks tries the same thing over and over again. Some of those were due to injury but honestly how many of those are A graders truly deserving of selection based on their performances. Only a handful of those games were deserved.

The common thread with all these selections is they would come in to cover injuries and then be dropped back to the Sanfl. None of those had a consistent run at it based on a deserved selection.

Meanwhile we have
Dowling
Edwards
Draper - Yes Injury prone but coming

There are midfield issues.

The only reason those players are getting selected above is because they are the next experienced cab off the rank whether they deserve it or not. Its why we see players who played average bullshit games in the Sanfl consistently selected.

 

[Pugsley]

We built an F1 car but Nicks forgot the wheels.

It never left the pit stop.

 

[kirky]

The reason why we seem to be hitting our head against the wall when it comes to Nicks selection is he simply has no imagination, plays it extremely safe and expects too much from fringe players to magically perform. He rarely if ever makes a shock selection. In fact I cant remember him ever doing it.

Have a look at this list

Nankervis - 1 game since R10 2025
Jones - 8 games since start of 2025
Bond - 8 games since start of 2025
Borlase - 4 games since round 20 2024
Cook - 7 games since Round 20 2024
Pedlar - 17 games since round 7 2024
Taylor - 19 Games since start of 2025.
Sholl - 0 games since round 5 2025

Recent delistings
Smith - 26 games in last two years
Murphy 22 games in last two years
McHenry 21 games in last two years
Schoenberg 5 games in last two years
Burgess 8 Games in last two years
Hamill 7 Games in last year
Parnell 6 Games in Last two years

The common pattern we see is Nicks tries the same thing over and over again. Some of those were due to injury but honestly how many of those are A graders truly deserving of selection based on their performances. Only a handful of those games were deserved.

The common thread with all these selections is they would come in to cover injuries and then be dropped back to the Sanfl. None of those had a consistent run at it based on a deserved selection.

Meanwhile we have
Dowling
Edwards
Draper - Yes Injury prone but coming

There are midfield issues.

The only reason those players are getting selected above is because they are the next experienced cab off the rank whether they deserve it or not. Its why we see players who played average bullshit games in the Sanfl consistently selected.

You need to understand that over Nicks playing career he was the epitome of an average footballer (he averaged 13 disposals, 4 marks and 1.7 tackles over his career). He played in Swans side where ultimate defence was its prime strategy.

Think we know why he is like he is.

 

[Firewalker]

Got to say my neck almost snapped in half when I heard Tim Silvers say last night on TV that Nicks deserved a contract extension and extra leeway/protection from job speculation because he quote “took over a club on its knees”… what an absolute stupid thing to say, he (Nicks) only got the job in the first place because the team was seen to be “on its knees”, he wasn’t getting close to any other AFL team head coaching role.

Seriously how long can someone dine out on “yeah you can’t judge me on my crap record or recent history coz the team was like total shit 7 years ago”

 

[Velvet George]

Got to say my neck almost snapped in half when I heard Tim Silvers say last night on TV that Nicks deserved a contract extension and extra leeway/protection from job speculation because he quote “took over a club on its knees”… what an absolute stupid thing to say, he (Nicks) only got the job in the first place because the team was seen to be “on its knees”, he wasn’t getting close to any other AFL team head coaching role.

Seriously how long can someone dine out on “yeah you can’t judge me on my crap record or recent history coz the team were like total shit 7 years ago”

That’s ****ing nuts. Did he say “he’s coaching really well”? I would have thought that should be the basis of an extension.

 

[1970crow]

Got to say my neck almost snapped in half when I heard Tim Silvers say last night on TV that Nicks deserved a contract extension and extra leeway/protection from job speculation because he quote “took over a club on its knees”… what an absolute stupid thing to say, he (Nicks) only got the job in the first place because the team was seen to be “on its knees”, he wasn’t getting close to any other AFL team head coaching role.

Seriously how long can someone dine out on “yeah you can’t judge me on my crap record or recent history coz the team was like total shit 7 years ago”

We’re an embarrassing organisation. Interesting that they’re not just sticking with the ‘we’re confident that he’s our next premiership coach’. It’s great that they’re making these feeble excuses because it means they’re feeling the pressure. Just need Silvers to call us customers and tell us to support another club and we’ll know they’re near full realisation.

 

[kirky]

The good thing from all of this is by finishing first last year, everyone including the supporters know we do have a capable squad, it now comes down to coaching.

The pressure is building to back up last years result given our first three losses were close, so when we get most of our players back there will be an expectation to perform. Any failure from there will be on the coaching stuff.

 

[FR0GGY]

The good thing from all of this is by finishing first last year, everyone including the supporters know we do have a capable squad, it now comes down to coaching.

The pressure is building to back up last years result given our first three losses were close, so when we get most of our players back there will be an expectation to perform. Any failure from there will be on the coaching stuff.

Yeah but injuries…..

 

[Cromulant]

Yeah but injuries…..

We dont have many, if they want to use that as an excuse then go ahead.

 

[119others]

The reason why we seem to be hitting our head against the wall when it comes to Nicks selection is he simply has no imagination, plays it extremely safe and expects too much from fringe players to magically perform. He rarely if ever makes a shock selection. In fact I cant remember him ever doing it.
ion.

Meanwhile we have
Dowling
Edwards
Draper - Yes Injury prone but coming

There are midfield issues.

The only reason those players are getting selected above is because they are the next experienced cab off the rank whether they deserve it or not. Its why we see players who played average bullshit games in the Sanfl consistently selected.

without going into all the specifics of the 3 replacement players you mentioned:

dowling - just doesnt look up to it in my view. vanilla and not enough weapons. i am comfortable him not playing, as unlike say cook who always had some weapons and tricks, i dont see that with dowling

edwards - agree 100%. very disappointing he hasnt had a run. neither jones or pedlar should play again before he debuts

draper - clearly will play once over injuries

 

[Rogue77]

It is interesting with Nicks that we went from more of a team with potential, to a top side when Murray Davis and Neil Balme came onboard

It's Davis for example who had the idea to put Curtin on a wing (from playing KPD), and likely also him who had the idea to throw Thilthy in the middle

 

[Scorpus]

Got to say my neck almost snapped in half when I heard Tim Silvers say last night on TV that Nicks deserved a contract extension and extra leeway/protection from job speculation because he quote “took over a club on its knees”… what an absolute stupid thing to say, he (Nicks) only got the job in the first place because the team was seen to be “on its knees”, he wasn’t getting close to any other AFL team head coaching role.

Seriously how long can someone dine out on “yeah you can’t judge me on my crap record or recent history coz the team was like total shit 7 years ago”

Our club culture for the longest time has been to reward tenure and loyalty regardless of performance

 

[GreyCrow]

Our club culture for the longest time has been to reward tenure and loyalty regardless of performance

Phil Harper Likes This

 

[Rogue77]

Our club culture for the longest time has been to reward tenure and loyalty regardless of performance

Interesting that clubs like Hawthorn and Geelong can move on guys like Hodge, Mitchell and Hawkins reasonably quickly - hall of famers

Then you look at how proactive and cutting edge the Crows are in comparison (not very)

 

[Cromulant]

Interesting that clubs like Hawthorn and Geelong can move on guys like Hodge, Mitchell and Hawkins reasonably quickly - hall of famers

Then you look at how proactive and cutting edge the Crows are in comparison (not very)

They have a plan.

Let them go, and have them experience things at other clubs then bring them back if/when ready. Roughead is a perfect example, as is Mitchell

 

[119others]

Got to say my neck almost snapped in half when I heard Tim Silvers say last night on TV that Nicks deserved a contract extension and extra leeway/protection from job speculation because he quote “took over a club on its knees”… what an absolute stupid thing to say, he (Nicks) only got the job in the first place because the team was seen to be “on its knees”, he wasn’t getting close to any other AFL team head coaching role.

Seriously how long can someone dine out on “yeah you can’t judge me on my crap record or recent history coz the team was like total shit 7 years ago”

thats disappointing for him to say that for all the reasons you mentioned.

power execs rolled out the same sort of line for kenny as he took over when they were almost going under etc

 

[Slippery Pete]

Pretty sure I heard King say last night that Rankine, Rachele and Dawson had only contested one centre bounce together for the entire season (or some other very low figure).

What’s going on there?

 

[GreyCrow]

Pretty sure I heard King say last night that Rankine, Rachele and Dawson had only contested one centre bounce together for the entire season (or some other very low figure).

What’s going on there?

Injury suspension etc. But still disappointing

 

[adelaidecrows]

without going into all the specifics of the 3 replacement players you mentioned:

dowling - just doesnt look up to it in my view. vanilla and not enough weapons. i am comfortable him not playing, as unlike say cook who always had some weapons and tricks, i dont see that with dowling

edwards - agree 100%. very disappointing he hasnt had a run. neither jones or pedlar should play again before he debuts

draper - clearly will play once over injuries

there is zero evidence to back this up zero. he averaged 17 disposals in his first 10 games and kicking 6 goals. He knows how to get the ball and he is a goal kicking midfielder. Fun fact he is also clean with a 70% effective disposal. Means he is likely to hit the target. He also averaged 5 marks a game and nearly 3 inside 50s. nearly 3rd of his average disposal is contested possessions meaning he knows how to win it in the contest and break free.

As I said, there is literally zero evidence to say he doesnt have enough weapons. Absolutely none and his resume at the direct games comparison matches many of the elite midfielders in the comp at the same stage. Does it mean he will be elite, of course not...but it indicates he should be playing to see what he can do. This is why Nicks cant be taken seriously. We have a gaping midfield sized hole and he is refusing to experiment.

Drapers only weapon is speed and there is a lot more evidence existing he simply relies on his speed to get the ball.

 

[adelaidecrows]

You need to understand that over Nicks playing career he was the epitome of an average footballer (he averaged 13 disposals, 4 marks and 1.7 tackles over his career). He played in Swans side where ultimate defence was its prime strategy.

Think we know why he is like he is.

nicks is obsessed with perfect football in an imperfect game and he is flooding the team with role players and non statistical shape runners.

 

[Cromulant]

Needed a spoil from Cook