AFL greats including Chris Judd, Paul Roos and Matthew Lloyd savage Adelaide Crows’ game-plan and leadership

Adelaide’s leadership structure, game plan and direction has been smashed by AFL greats from Matthew Lloyd, Chris Judd to Paul Roos as the fallout from a 1-3 start to the season continues.

Adelaide’s Taylor Walker leads teammates off the ground following Round 4 loss to North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

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Adelaide’s leadership structure, game plan and direction has been smashed by AFL greats from Matthew Lloyd, Chris Judd to Paul Roos as the fallout from a 1-3 start to the season continues.

Adelaide failing to adapt its game plan since the 2017 grand final loss, decision not to appoint Rory Sloane as sole captain and coaching support around Don Pyke has sharpened focus.

Dual Brownlow medallist Judd noted Adelaide’s decision not to bite the bullet and appoint Rory Sloane co-captain.

Adelaide’s Taylor Walker leads teammates off the ground following Round 4 loss to North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

“I thought it was strange in the end, felt like it was Rory Sloane’s time to take a role,” said Judd on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.

Matthew Lloyd — Essendon skipper from 2006-09 — empathised with Walker’s plight as skipper often isolated in the forward line. However Walker’s three goals in four games and inability to impact is accentuated as a leader and forward.

“Tex Walker, leadership wise if you are not kicking goals it is a tough place to captain from. I remember when I got given the job there were some around who reckoned full forward isn’t the place for a captain as you are not in the action enough,” said five-time All Australian Lloyd.

“Tex Walker has laid eight tackles so if you are not kicking goals and applying pressure you would want to be doing a lot of things right around the football club so that is the question mark on Tex Walker.”

Perennial opponent Kane Cornes joined Walker’s chorus of critics, saying: “We are a month into the season, is he going to work his way out of it? The way he is moving it doesn’t look like he will,” The Advertiser columnist said.

“It is not just form. There is form and you can contribute. He is having no influence on the game whatsoever, round one.”

Adelaide has been worked out by rivals who crowd the centre corridor and scoring avenues. Adelaide’s loss to North Melbourne last Saturday night at Marvel Stadium was characterised by slow, sideways ball movement, reluctance to kick to one-on-one contests and skill error.

Taylor Walker attempts to spoil Jasper Pittard on Saturday. Picture: AAP Image/Hamish Blair

Rory Sloane fights for the loose ball under pressure from Luke Davies-Uniacke (left) and Ben Cunnington of the Kangaroos. Picture: AAP Image/Hamish Blair

Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos labelled Adelaide’s 12-point loss to the Kangaroos the worst loss of the year by any side.

“A lot of people talk about the cliche they’re not playing for the coach, they’re not playing for each other,” said Fox Footy expert Roos.

“They’re not having a go and there’s a difference between effort and maximum effort.”

Cornes said Pyke — in his fourth season as Adelaide coach — deserved heat for a game plan that has failed to evolve since picked apart by Geelong then Richmond in 2017.

“Adelaide’s game style was as poor as I have seen it and Don Pyke that is your responsibility and you need to fix that up,” said Cornes on SEN Radio.