Why Adelaide must have a full post-season review of its football operations
Adelaide has four weeks to salvage its season — but the problems that have arisen in the past five weeks will still require a thorough, honest, post-season analysis at West Lakes, says Mark Bickley.
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SILVER BULLET: a simple and seemingly magical solution to a complicated problem.
I’m sorry to say Adelaide fans but Don Pyke, Rob Chapman or Andrew Fagan don’t have a silver bullet.
The hole the Crows find themselves in at present has surprised many.
The 2019 season promised redemption from the disaster that was 2018. Not only has the year failed to deliver but at this stage looks like failing to match the 12 wins produced in the season prior.
Despite a very good draw, an almost perfect pre-season and a comparatively good run with injuries, the recent on field performance has left pundits scratching there heads, and Crows members and supporters fuming at what appears to be another wasted season.
Almost certainly their last crack at that elusive flag with this core group of players.
While there is unprecedented levels of discontent with the playing and coaching performances on-field, that is matched by the level of disenchantment felt by members towards the key staff off-field.
It’s a point accepted by Adelaide Football Club Chairman Rob Chapman earlier in the week.
What is the way forward for the Adelaide Football Club?
Starting with the on field situation, the Crows have four weeks to salvage something from the season.
What is easy to forget is that the Crows won seven of nine games, including victories over Richmond and GWS before the bye week, and sat comfortably in fifth spot on the ladder.
So the predicament Adelaide find themselves in has played out in a short space of time — five weeks.
Four if you remove the annihilation of the Gold Coast but the issue is all four losses have followed a similar path.
When the opposition has put the foot on the gas and challenged Adelaide there has been no push back from the Crows.
Perhaps understandable when they were outmuscled at Geelong.
Inexplicable a week later in the second half against the Power. Embarrassing again in the second half against an undermanned Essendon and found wanting on the weekend, outscored in every quarter by a spirited, energetic hungry Carlton side. Everything that Adelaide wasn’t.
The leaders must show the way out of this slump. Taylor Walker, Rory Sloane, Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins, Daniel Talia, and Matt Crouch have the official titles and, while they couldn’t try any harder individually, it’s the lack of cohesion and spirit that is costing them.
Survival mode is the most natural instinct to show when under threat, but it’s the leaders who must rise above display the team ethos that got them elected to their positions. Don Pyke will continue to make changes this week in the quest to find a winning combination, but time and patience is clearly running out.
The off field situation is much more complex. Andrew Fagan on his appointment boldly stated his vision: “The vision should be (to make the Crows) the most respected and successful in the country,”
“That is my history … deliver the best football program because that is what you can control. Put the right people in the right seats — and get the right system in place.
“That is the focus for me — give the Adelaide Crows the best football program in the AFL.”
There have been times where this vision has been close to being realised. The manner in which the club handled itself in the aftermath of Phillip Walsh’s tragic passing earned the Club enormous respect. With the Crows’ AFLW side winning the inaugural premiership and the men’s team into the grand final as hot favourite, Andrew Fagan’s vision was within sight.
Unfortunately the drain of experienced key football staff had started including Nick Poulos, David Noble, David Teague, James Podsiadly, Matt Bode and Josh Francou among others.
Clearly men like Noble are in high demand and opportunities abounded in Brisbane, but many of the others mentioned left with little notice or explanation which has many asking the question why? And, is Adelaide still intent on delivering the best football program in Australia?
It is for this reason that Adelaide must undertake an independent review at season’s end. The independent nature, with the frames of reference disclosed along with any recommendations made, would provide the members with the transparency they require, while at the same time providing a marker for the club.
Opening yourself to scrutiny is one way of showing your members you are serious about doing what is required to be the best.
The next most important issue at season’s end is honest appraisal of where the club sees it’s list.
Supporters have never been more educated and getting them to understand what the vision and strategy going forward looks like is half the battle. Right now the vision from Adelaide is anything but clear.
Nobody likes seeing club favourites retire or move to other teams, but at the same time there is nothing more exciting than the emergence of young stars who provide hope for the future.
Is the club entering a rebuilding phase? Will it do that via the draft? Will the club be active in the trade period?
It’s that feeling of inclusiveness that makes a fan become a member or supporter. You feel valued when your club shares its intentions and engaged as you follow with interest.
It’s been an extraordinary week, Chapman says he is hearing the members loud and clear and Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas described 2019 as the year of the deafening roar.
It’s one thing to hear the noise but are our two clubs prepared to act?