‘That was a genuine touch-up’: Adelaide Crows coach Don Pyke questions team’s inner spirit

DON Pyke has questioned Adelaide’s inner spirit for the first time in his tenure and contribution of senior players after a third-quarter capitulation that led to a devastating thumping from Hawthorn.

Hawthorn's Shaun Burgoyne celebrates his goal in the fourth quarter with Tom Mitchell , Jarryd Roughead and Ryan Burton. Picture: Michael Klein

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DON Pyke has questioned Adelaide’s inner spirit for the first time in his tenure and contribution of senior players after a devastating 56-point loss to Hawthorn that will almost certainly cost a finals spot.

Pyke lashed Adelaide’s third-quarter capitulation when James Sicily (three goals) sparked a 7.2 charge while the visitors were scoreless.

Adelaide coach Don Pyke and skipper Taylor Walker on the bench during the Crows’ disastrous third quarter. Picture: Michael Klein

Hawthorn was up in clearances 39-16 by three quarter time when it led the category by six at the main break. Adelaide trailed contested possessions by three at half-time and 17 at three quarter time as the Hawks piled on seven matchwinning majors.

“The break has come at a good time and for guys to reflect on the season and us as coaches to think about where to from here. At half time we were in the game, it wasn’t pretty to watch but the third quarter we got blown away from the clearance and contest,” said Pyke.

“It’s just not good enough. I thought we dropped away in that space and when we are down in the clearances we expect someone to stand up.

“To perform that way, our contest work and defensive effort ... that was a genuine touch-up.”

Adelaide has lost four consecutive games – its worst streak under Pyke and since 2011.

"We're just lacking confidence. We're not taking the game on and we're not playing exciting footy."

Brutal honesty from @Adelaide_FC skipper @texwalker13 after a crushing loss for the Crows. #AFLHawksCrows pic.twitter.com/N9qCUhI65T

— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 16, 2018

Pyke said Adelaide wasn’t a victim of internal disharmony or crisis but just wasn’t delivering as it could with a 6-7 win loss record.

“Those reports have been blown out of proportion. Yes we have personnel out but we are not playing well, that is the bigger issue,” Pyke said.

“The Melbourne game was disappointing but we came here with really high hopes and expectations.”

Josh Jenkins toiled while Taylor Walker was held goalless. Eddie Betts and Sam Jacobs did their best to spark Adelaide in the second term but Pyke wants more.

“We have guys who are experienced players and not in great form. As a group we look like it is a bit hard at the moment,” he said.

Pyke expects Rory Sloane, Luke Brown, Tom Lynch and Rory Laird to return after the bye but said that would be no silver bullet.

Skipper Walker was also brutally honest after the game, telling Cameron Ling the team was lacking confidence.

“Firstly, as a football club we let our fans and supporters down.” he said.

“Being in the rooms just then, we are all disappointed so we need to work out why. We are just be lacking confidence. We are not taking the game on. We are not playing exciting footy. So it is very disappointing at the moment.

“We have got a bit of work to do and we need to find out why.”