Adelaide Crows’ Senior Coach Matthew Nicks addressed the media following a hard-fought victory against the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on Sunday evening. The Crows, trailing by 10 points in the final quarter, rallied to secure a 13.9 (87) to 12.8 (76) win, marking their 16th victory of the season and securing a spot in the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series.
The win was not easily earned, as the Eagles, despite being at the bottom of the ladder, displayed relentless pressure and intensity, challenging the league leaders throughout the match. The game was also significant for West Coast as they bid farewell to retiring stars Jeremy McGovern and Dom Sheed, adding an emotional edge to their performance.
Full Credit to the Eagles
Coach Nicks was quick to acknowledge the formidable challenge posed by the Eagles, admitting that they outperformed his team in several critical areas.
“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.”
Despite the struggles, Nicks emphasized the importance of learning from the experience to improve future performances, particularly with a crucial match against Collingwood on the horizon.
Thilthorpe Cleared After Third-Quarter Scare
A tense moment unfolded when star forward Riley Thilthorpe collided with Eagles Skipper Liam Duggan in the third quarter, necessitating a medical assessment for a potential neck injury. Fortunately, Thilthorpe was cleared of serious injury and returned to the field to score two decisive 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. “But after a minute or so of recovery he was fine.”
Crows Trio Stand Up with Big Second Halves
With the game hanging in the balance at halftime, three Crows players stepped up to steer the team to victory. Captain Jordan Dawson led by example with crucial contest wins, while Izak Rankine provided much-needed flair and creativity. Additionally, Zac Taylor delivered a standout performance, achieving a career-high 20 disposals.
“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
Adelaide’s decision to rest veteran forward Taylor Walker for the match against West Coast was a strategic move with future fixtures in mind. Nicks elaborated on the complexities of player management, especially during the critical stages of the season.
“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, Adelaide officially secured a place in the finals, marking their first appearance since 2017. The team sits one game clear at the top of the ladder with two matches remaining in the regular season. While Nicks allowed himself a brief moment to reflect on this achievement, his focus remains on the 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.”
Looking ahead, the Crows are preparing for a critical matchup against Collingwood, with the aim of maintaining their momentum and continuing their strong performance into the finals.
