Adelaide coach Don Pyke laments disappointing end to chase for grand final atonement
WHAT started as a dream of grand final atonement for the Crows — with September combat a given — ended in the deep freeze of Manuka Oval.
IT WAS Don Pyke’s “snapshot” of the season — always in the contest but unable to close the deal.
Adelaide’s 14-point loss after leading by four points at halftime heralded its first failure to reach the finals since the Brenton Sanderson era.
What started as a dream of grand final atonement — with September combat a given — ended in the deep freeze of Manuka Oval.
“We came into the season with high expectations and hopes. It is disappointing for fans and members,” said Pyke.
Adelaide’s decimation of Richmond in its round 2 grand final rematch gave little indication of its pending decline, hobbled by injuries and lack of cohesion.
“It was a bit of a snapshot of the season to be honest. We have had periods where we played really good footy but just not consistently or good enough for long enough against the best teams,” said Pyke with Jacob Hopper’s goal in the final seconds of the third term frustrating the Crows boss.
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“We ran into a really good team who played a tough brand of footy. We held up for a period but we lost critical moments.”
Pyke will hold off on a season inquest and list assessment until completing games against North Melbourne and Carlton.
“We have a couple of games to go and hopefully focus and some wins, finish strongly and keep building in some careers as well,” said Pyke.
“We need to put some focus on what it looks like for next season from a preseason view point and get ourselves playing consistently. Our best if still good enough but not playing well enough for long enough against good opposition.”
Skipper Taylor Walker will face match review panel scrutiny for a third quarter sling tackle on GWS gun Josh Kelly.
“I will let the powers that be look at that case. I know as a player it is hard when you have a guy rotating out of a tackle and the end effect was the impact to Kelly,” said Pyke of the incident that saw Kelly sidelined for the remainder of the match.
Brodie Smith was Adelaide’s best in just his second game back from a knee reconstruction with 29 assured touches, 14 contested.
“It has been great having Brodie Smith in the team and we know what he is capable of bringing and missed,” said Pyke.
“I am rapt for Brodie after coming off 12 months and a knee reco to come back and play AFL footy this season. We know the quality of the player.”