Adelaide Crows emerged victorious against West Coast Eagles in a hard-fought battle at Optus Stadium on Sunday evening, securing their 16th win of the season with a score of 13.9 (87) to 12.8 (76). Trailing by 10 points early in the final quarter, the Crows rallied to kick four of the last five goals, ensuring their place in the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series. Senior Coach Matthew Nicks addressed the media post-game, highlighting key takeaways from the intense match.
Full Credit to the Eagles
Despite facing the 18th-placed team, Adelaide was made to earn their victory as West Coast Eagles displayed relentless pressure and intensity. The Eagles, buoyed by their home crowd and the emotional farewell of retiring stars Jeremy McGovern and Dom Sheed, challenged the ladder-leaders throughout the night. Nicks acknowledged the opposition’s commendable performance, admitting that they outperformed the Crows in several critical aspects.
“Today unfortunately we didn’t bring our best and our opposition did, I thought they were outstanding tonight,” Nicks said. “Our opposition were better than us with their energy, their intensity, the pressure they brought, they beat us in that area of the game tonight.”
Thilthorpe Cleared After Third-Quarter Scare
A moment of concern arose when star forward Riley Thilthorpe collided with Eagles Skipper Liam Duggan in the third quarter, necessitating a brief exit from the field for a neck assessment. Fortunately, Thilthorpe’s diagnosis was favorable, allowing him to return and become the match-winner with two crucial goals in the final quarter.
“I think he jarred his neck which then shot some nerve pain down his arm, so initially it looked like he’d done something to his shoulder and we were worried,” Nicks explained.
Crows Trio Stand Up with Big Second Halves
At half-time, Adelaide needed a catalyst to regain control, and it was skipper Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine, and Zac Taylor who rose to the occasion. Dawson’s determination around the ball, Rankine’s moments of brilliance, and Taylor’s career-high 20 disposals were pivotal in securing the win. Nicks praised the trio’s impact in the second half.
“I like Jordan (Dawson) a lot, Izak Rankine as well. I thought he bounced back really well after a slower first half,” Nicks said. “And Zac Taylor was the other one who I thought played one of his best halves of footy in his career in the second half, which was really pleasing for him.”
The Inexact Science of Managing Players
The decision to rest Taylor Walker, Adelaide’s all-time leading goalkicker, for the trip to Perth was strategic, with an eye on the upcoming clash against Collingwood. Nicks emphasized the complexity of managing player workloads during the season’s critical phase.
“I think it’s always difficult, and there’s not an exact science to when you should rest players,” Nicks said. “Taylor this weekend for example, we know how important he is to our group, not just with the football with hand but what he does for our group with his leadership on the field.”
Nicks Reflects on Securing Finals Spot
With the victory over West Coast, Adelaide secured their first finals appearance since 2017. Sitting one game clear at the top of the ladder with two matches remaining, Nicks took a moment to reflect on this significant achievement while maintaining focus on upcoming challenges.
“I take maybe a second to reflect on how big it (returning to finals) is,” Nicks said. “I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to do, and that we’ve stuck it out through a tough period win/loss wise.”
As the Crows prepare for their next match against Collingwood, the team and supporters alike are optimistic about the journey ahead, eager to capitalize on their hard-earned position in the finals.
