Crows’ lack of rebound and leadership delivers the worst results since 2011

ADELAIDE put some new marks in the record books with its third-lowest score in club history on Saturday night. Can the anticipated return of vice-captain Rory Sloane help them turn things around when they return from the mid-season break?

Crows coach Don Pyke and captain Taylor Walker watch Adelaide struggle to move the ball from defence against Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday night. The Crows managed just 35 inside-50s, the lowest count since 2011. Picture: Michael Klein

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ADELAIDE has collapsed from the AFL’s highest-scoring team last season to the least productive Crows side since 2011.

This is the fallout from a failing midfield — that lost 14 consecutive clearances in the decisive third term against Hawthorn on Saturday night — and the telling injuries to rebounding half-backs Brodie Smith (knee) and All-Australian Rory Laird (broken hand).

Crows skipper Taylor Walker failed to kick a goal against Hawthorn. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

And Eddie Betts only managed the one major on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein

Adelaide’s 4.8 (32) against the Hawks marks the third lowest score in the club’s AFL story — and lowest since scoring just 3.6 (24) in a 103-point loss to St Kilda in round 18, 2011 when coach Neil Craig resigned.

The 4.8 against the Hawks was built on just 35 inside-50 entries — the lowest count since having only 34 against North Melbourne in round 11, 2011.

Adelaide (6-7) is now in a four-game losing streak for the first time since it lost six consecutive games from round 9-14 in 2011.

The Crows are averaging just 83 points — down by four goals on last year’s league-leading mark of 108 that propelled Adelaide to the minor premiership and its first grand final appearance since 1998.

Gone is the strength of the Crows last season — quick and powerful transition from half-back to load up its productive forwards, in particular key forwards Josh Jenkins and captain Taylor Walker and goalsneak Eddie Betts.

This trio still managed the bulk of Adelaide’s score against Hawthorn — 2.3 of the 4.8. But limited supply — and being dragged to the midfield rather than holding ground inside-50 waiting for the quick transition from half-back — has made it more difficult for Jenkins and Walker to torment defenders.

Rory Sloane on the move at Crows training late last month. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

The loss of Laird and Smith is a significant cause to this change to the Adelaide game.

Adelaide coach Don Pyke said: “When you’re 18-1 down in the clearances, you’re looking for someone to stand up and make a difference there. We didn’t stand up when we needed to at that point.”

This could change after Adelaide’s mid-season break with the anticipated return of vice-captain and key midfielder Rory Sloane from the foot injury that wrecked his first half to the season.

Transition play also should strengthen with the return of link forward Tom Lynch (ribs) for the home clash with West Coast at Adelaide Oval on Saturday week.

CROWS LOWEST SCORES

3.6 (24) v St Kilda, R18 2011

4.7 (31) v St Kilda, R7 1991

4.8 (32) v Hawthorn, R13 2018

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