Review R14: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly vs. Hawthorn Hawks

[CrowBloke]

Ugly. Murphy. Selection of Murphy.
Impey his opponent for most of the game destroying us.

Yes, all of that and even then ...

Pedler being subbed off.

When I saw Pedlar subbed off I thought 2 things
--- yeah, no way Nicks is going to admit Murphy's selection was a mistake, and
--- that's Pedlar done for the rest of the year, maybe ever.

Side note.
Murray Davis and Nicks arguing in the box in the last qtr. Not sure what it was about. But it looked heated and Nicks seemed upset.

Yeah, I noticed that too with great interest.
I'd love to know what was said (and it was not a good look for Coaches' cohesion).

 

[Scorpus]

We've played three types of game in 2025

1. Big win against a crappy opponent

2. Lucky close win that we don't really deserve

3. Relatively close loss where we are a chance to win but **** it up

 

[feenix67]

We've played three types of game in 2025

1. Big win against a crappy opponent

2. Lucky close win that we don't really deserve

3. Relatively close loss where we are a chance to win but **** it up

I'd say point 2 is actually:

Close wins where we were in control and then nearly bottled

 

[feenix67]

Since the Collingwood game, I reckon I could count on one hand the amount of times we have intentionally/proactively switched play or changed lanes. This is how Nicks appears to be defending - compress the ground by eliminating one side of it. Then we hustle and bustle. It's fine when we have territory, but what it leads to is a crowded forward line. Our scoring output has plummeted, our uncontested possession count has plummeted. We have reverted to a grind. And when the oppo breaks through, they usually have access to one on ones because we have committed so many forward in our high press.

Result - our scores have dropped, we keep opposition in games, we put ourselves under more pressure, we reduce the effectiveness of our weapons (forward line). Yes Jeffy, it's true.

I mean it's fine to play this style at times, but this is our go-to. Whenever we open it up (like early Q4 last week) we score rapidly and look a different side. But we rarely do it.

Mitchell realised they had to up their pressure at the contest so he matched our extras around the ball. Spread a little more. Denied us space in F50. Our coaches had no counter. It makes you wonder whether they ever sit down as a group and say "ok, if the oppo do this, we need to do this" because we sure as hell look rattled every time an opponent doesnt allow us to play the way Nicks wants us to play.

I want a coach who plans to win, not plans to try not to lose.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Yes, all of that and even then ...

When I saw Pedlar subbed off I thought 2 things
--- yeah, no way Nicks is going to admit Murphy's selection was a mistake, and
--- that's Pedlar done for the rest of the year, maybe ever.


Yeah, I noticed that too with great interest.
I'd love to know what was said (and it was not a good look for Coaches' cohesion).

I didnt see it. But its not a surprise is it?

Nicks stubborness and refusal to change is going to rub people the wrong way. The question is whether Adelaide will take notice of the coach inadequacies this time and realise we can do better.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Our tall forwards are all horrifically out of form btw - this was a large contributor to the loss

And it’s not down to a ‘shit midfield’ this time, we won the clearance battle and still couldn’t make the most of it

 

[Pugsley]

Yes, all of that and even then ...

When I saw Pedlar subbed off I thought 2 things
--- yeah, no way Nicks is going to admit Murphy's selection was a mistake, and
--- that's Pedlar done for the rest of the year, maybe ever.


Yeah, I noticed that too with great interest.
I'd love to know what was said (and it was not a good look for Coaches' cohesion).

Maybe he told him he is a ****wit.

 

[Pugsley]

I didnt see it. But its not a surprise is it?

Nicks stubborness and refusal to change is going to rub people the wrong way. The question is whether Adelaide will take notice of the coach inadequacies this time and realise we can do better.

Hopefully whoever Davis reports to is that he tells them to get rid of that potato.

 

[Danger in Texas]

We've played three types of game in 2025

1. Big win against a crappy opponent

2. Lucky close win that we don't really deserve

3. Relatively close loss where we are a chance to win but **** it up

We probably deserved the Port win, we tried our best to **** it up though

Last two weeks has kinda shown where we’re at in regards to September

 

[Slim258]

Am sure it’s in here but don’t have time to read through 16 pages yet.

The good : Woz’s run down tackle (probably only positive)
The bad : our goal kicking (again)
The ugly: Nicks pre game stated that Murphys selection was to attempt to nullify one of their running half backs, he was on Impey for majority of the time that he was on the field, whether by design or by plan, that’s how it was. Impey was their most influential player behind the ball, doing whatever he wanted wherever he wanted. He had 28 disposals at 79%, which shows that he was not under enough pressure for 79% of his disposals. Credit where credits due Muphy did have some decent tackles and follow ups to that, creating pressure in other parts of the ground. But, he also had two costly fumbles:
1. Flailing his arms in the forward 50 missing a relatively regulation uncontested mark, causing a turnover
2. Missing the ball completely around CHB (albeit shit kick from whoever sent it to him) but fumbled causing a quick turnover again.
Both of these for somewhere at the standard should be taking if they get two hands to the footy, I get it was slippery and there were plenty of errors around the ground but these two for me were unacceptable.

 

[Cromulant]

They choked and were simultaneously set up to fail

Not sure thats quite right, we had all the chances we needed to win the game and the players choked on the field

 

[1970crow]

Got what we deserved.

One goal in the second half, shit selection and shit subs.

Our three-headed monster is out of form. We're not getting enough out of TT and Fogarty as of late given TT was goalless tonight and missed a sitter (which proved costly), and Fogarty has kicked three goals in the last month.

At least this stamps us non-contenders this year. Maybe 5th-6th and a home final, but semi-finalists at the most.

Maybe we could consider reducing the amount of ball directed to Tex. he still gets the lions share and concedes clean possession far too often.

 

[lones37]

I am surprised by the strong criticism of Nicks, I live in Adelaide and have a lot of friends for both clubs, and I am a big wrap for the Crows, I think they can contend. I like their game style, not dissimilar to Collingwood, it just takes time to perfect it.

For me, the loss was simply not capitalising on a very dominant first half, I know it is a should have been moment, but if it was 50 points up at half time the game is over. I put it down to the conditions, it would have been very wet underfoot and slippery. Thilthorpe has no excuse 20 metres out straight in front however, you cannot miss those shots and expect to win games against good opposition. I know the umpires got involved late, but the game should have been iced earlier.

The game turned in the third quarter when Hawthorn upped the pressure, two dropped marks for 2 goals got them back into it. And then the last quarter was much the same, Crows dominant for much of the quarter early but couldn't score, and Hawthorn got free kicks to score. I wouldn't be worried, I think this team is a genuine top 4 team, a lot of learnings from this loss. Out of the contenders, only Geelong and the Crows are capable of beating us when it matters, time will tell. I guess it is a costly loss in terms of top 4, would have been a 2 game break to 5th spot. Keep the faith, it is a long season and a lot of footy to be played yet.

 

[StonesThrow]

I'm still ****ing mad about last night. Dominate half a game against a side we struggle to beat in an away game where we have such a poor record. Such a good opportunity. End up losing.

The only good I can rustle up is Curtin and our defence.

Bad:
Forward entries. Decision making and skill errors going forward was at its worst for the year. Should have absolutely nailed this game if not for this. Few goal hungry moments as well.

Murphy selection. Surprisingly wasn't much of a factor in us losing (we were romping it in despite Murphy being on the ground), but come one Nicks. This guy is a non entity.

Walker. Really struggling. Poor decision making and his foot skills have deserted him. Is costing us goals each week. Probably worst on ground.

Rankine. I got shot down for saying this earlier in the year (hey Jeff). 23 and 1 goal looks alright on paper, but he's having very little impact for someone with his talent. Has been like this for much of 2025. Can be very fumbly and doesn't have much hurt factor with his disposals. Think the coaches are also a bit lost in how to play him.

Dumb crows things as usual. Rankine bouncing the ball out of bounds in the first qtr. Dawson deliberate out of bounds. These guys are smart players as well.

 

[FR0GGY]

Another pantsing in the box, Mitchell changed his side up we did nothing.
As usual we let a player carve us up without looking to do a thing about it (impey)
Nicks, don’t come Monday.

 

[moogerfooger]

This club has never performed well away from home, even in years when we won premierships. This loss, while disappointing, is not worth blowing a gasket over. Given our draw we'll probably still finish around 5th, which will be a big step up from last year and something to build on.

 

[Owen_AFC97]

Nick Foot employed by SportsBet was umpiring last night. You genuinely cant make this shit up.

 

[pjcrows]

Our tall forwards are all horrifically out of form

It's almost like you shouldn't play 3 talls, including one that is glacially slow, in the middle of winter.

 

[1970crow]

Player assessments are much more accurate in away games where nearly everyone is watching on TV. The amount of credit Smith got last week was insane as was the lack of criticism of Tex constantly conceding possession to opposition. Want to see how a team plays, go to the game. Want to assess a player in the contest, watch the replay. If running patterns and shape keeping interest you, best be at the game, but maybe consider getting a life first.

 

[maxlilly]

Pedlar is not turning into the player I hoped he would be

 

[1970crow]

Ignoring sub impacted, Tex TOG averages 80%. Last 2 weeks 69% and 67%, we're carrying him to 300 come hell or high water. Team first means nothing to this club, was just something a past coach said a few times.

 

[StonesThrow]

Good: Keane's left for pass to Walker

 

[CrowToon]

Ok so you dont really want Berry to be the one putting up the fist to spoil. Hall of fame shit one. Great.

But if you go and freeze the vision from behind the goals whilst that ball is in the air after the punch from Berry you can see we don't have a single player trying to get to the back of the contest.

That punch from Berry hung in the air long enough to get players to the fall of it and/or getting behind it.

Instead everyone ball watches and they have an easy chain to goal.

Ok everyone might be cooked but I thought that illustrated poor leadership down back.

Where is our goalkeeper on the line?

Even before the ball kicked in by Jiath and it was falling short why did noone realise you've got everyone charging forward and we need to get someone falling back?

Of course this is all moot if Fog doesn't have a brainfade and punch it out.

We just dont have the onfield smarts or experience to read game situations like that last 5 mins and do the little things.

 

[Cromulant]

Ok so you dont really want Berry to be the one putting up the fist to spoil. Hall of fame shit one. Great.

But if you go and freeze the vision from behind the goals whilst that ball is in the air after the punch from Berry you can see we don't have a single player trying to get to the back of the contest.

That punch from Berry hung in the air long enough to get players to the fall of it and/or getting behind it.

Instead everyone ball watches and they have an easy chain to goal.

Ok everyone might be cooked but I thought that illustrated poor leadership down back.

Where is our goalkeeper on the line?

Even before the ball kicked in by Jiath and it was falling short why did noone realise you've got everyone charging forward and we need to get someone falling back?

Of course this is all moot if Fog doesn't have a brainfade and punch it out.

We just dont have the onfield smarts or experience to read game situations like that last 5 mins and do the little things.

Smith was the closest one and easily within range to put a body on Newcombe, and didn't.

But yeah Berry was absolutely the wrong person to go the spoil. He actually had a pretty reasonable night to that point.

 

[steve9798]

One positive. I have been crying out for us to develop a stagger. Berry did a really good job in the first half.