Nicks will be given time. They were widely expected to bottom out this year and that's what happened.
They've just won 3 on the trot and derailed the finals plans of Carlton and GWS. They've given their fans hope, finished the year strong when other teams are limping to the line.
I reckon in a counter intuitive way the Crows’ last three games have created too much hope and raised expectations. Their list is poor. They have won the three games predominantly off the back of the Crouches and Laird, and Sloane, Smith and Lynch have had a good game along with Gibbs in the streak. Some cameos from the younger guys, but these three wins are coming from the past, not the future.
I think it may make it even harder to try to get value for B.Crouch and Laird as has been rumoured, because they will almost certainly regress if they do that short term. If they had gone winless nobody would’ve questioned the hard rebuild. An absolute pounding from Richmond in round 18 could be just what they need.
I don’t mind that Melbourne will probably miss finals. Making 8th and perhaps winning a final will paper over some things that need resolving.