A frustrated Matthew Nicks has cited the form of multiple Adelaide players and a lack of cohesion as factors behind a 0-3 start for his side in 2024.
Nicks and the Crows entered the new year expected to contend for finals after making significant jumps in recent years, but after Friday night’s loss to Fremantle, need to defy plenty of history to feature in September of 2024.
In a scrappy, low-scoring affair at Optus Stadium, Adelaide could only manage four goals for the game and so far this season, are scoring in less than 35 per cent of forward 50 entries. Last year, that number was well over 50 per cent.
Nicks suggested a lack of chemistry between his midfielders and forwards early in the season was to blame, a factor “uncharacteristic” for the Crows.
But he also didn’t miss his players.
“We’re not playing to a standard we expect. We’ve got a lot of players at the moment that are down in form, too many for us to stand up when it counts,” he told reporters post-game after Adelaide lost the final term by 25 points in a 35-point defeat.
Friday night's clash between the Crows and Dockers is an eight-point game, according to Dwayne Russell > https://t.co/FwQibDFMYQ #AFL pic.twitter.com/WroCLecTq7
— SEN WA 657 (@SENWestAus) March 28, 2024
From 2012 onwards and since the 18-team competition was created, only two sides (GWS and Sydney) have played finals from an 0-3 start.
But the Brisbane Lions are now 0-3, as were Collingwood just 48 hours ago.
Nicks has faith that the slow start can be turned around.
“It's still early in the season. There are some very good sides that are sitting in a similar record,” Nicks said.
“So by no means are we dropping our bundle, but at the moment we're incredibly frustrated with where we're at.
“So we'll sit down as a group and nut through it. We'll find out how do we find that form? How do we bring that connection back? How do we believe in ourselves again?
“I don't think we've lost belief at all, but confidence is an amazing thing in footy when momentum is with you. You can really ride that at the moment. We don't have that, we're gonna find a way to get it right.”
Both Nicks and Dockers coach Justin Longmuir entered the season among the most under pressure coaches and while the Crows have faltered, Longmuir’s charges are 3-0 and next play Carlton in a Gather Round blockbuster.
Adelaide’s task gets no easier, opening Gather Round with a Thursday night clash with Melbourne.