AFL 2024: All the Adelaide Crows news in the wake of Friday night loss to Geelong

Adelaide Crows coach Matthew Nicks says his side had to “really crank ourselves up and get going” in the wake of Friday’s loss to Geelong. So, where will they start?

Adelaide will put its slow starts under the microscope as it races to gets its season on track.

For the second successive week, the Crows had to play catch-up on Friday night and ultimately left themselves too much work to do in what was ultimately a 19-point defeat.

Adelaide was 13 points down at quarter-time of round 1 versus Gold Coast, then 26 behind at the main break, before fighting back and losing by just six.

Against Geelong, the Crows trailed by 19 and 12 points at the first two intervals, only to hit the front with 13 minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The Cats dominated territory in the opening term, leading the inside 50 count 18-10.

Adelaide kicked the game’s first goal in three minutes through Jake Soligo, but the visitors quickly took control, booting six of the next seven, including four in a row.

Crows coach Matthew Nicks felt there was probably a three-goal breeze to the northern end, which Geelong kicked with in the first and third terms.

He said the team now had to “really crank ourselves up and get going”.

Matthew Nicks during Friday night’s loss to Geelong. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos

“At times, we’re maybe getting a bit desperate at the moment playing from behind,” Nicks said.

“We’re fighting it out but playing from behind can challenge you even more so we’re going to look at our starts and see what we can do there.

“At the same time, it’s about getting our game going again consistently over four quarters.”

Slow starts were not a major issue for Adelaide last season.

The Crows won 13 of their 23 first quarters and 14 opening halves.

They notched 11 victories on their way to an 11-12 record and 10th-placed finish.

Adelaide responded quicker on Friday night than it did against the Suns, when they only managed one goal to half-time in torrid conditions.

Crows defender Mitch Hinge said his team was not as good in the contest as the Cats, its fundamentals were off and it lacked composure.

Crow Mitch Hinge tackles Oliver Henry. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“With a quality side like Geelong, they make you pay pretty quick on the outside and they were clean, and strong inside,” Hinge said.

“We were a little bit fumbly and it felt like most of their scores came from our errors.

“We blazed away, didn’t quite use our numbers and look to use each other.

“That’s what’s disappointing – we want to play as a group and have fun together.

“We also want to put a show on for our members and the first two weeks we haven’t done that.”

Hinge said the Crows were disappointed and needed to get back to basics ahead this Friday night’s away match against Fremantle.

“What we displayed last year, not much has changed, we’re just probably not quite a well-oiled machine at the moment or firing on all cylinders,” he said.

“But I also feel it’s not far off.

“Freo look like they’re going pretty well so it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any easier.

“We’re going to review this, lick our wounds and get back on the horse.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: All the Adelaide Crows news in the wake of Friday night loss to Geelong