The scars from the 2017 grand final loss will always be there for the Adelaide Crows

ADELAIDE faces Richmond on Thursday in the grand final rematch, but don’t think redemption is up for grabs. Nothing can erase the 2017 memories, writes Warren Tredrea.

Crows coach Don Pyke looks on after the 2017 grand final loss to Richmond

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GRAND final redemption - it doesn’t exist.

Nothing will ever erase the memory of a grand final loss, you take it to your grave.

Thursday night, the Crows face their 2017 nemesis Richmond for the first time since that fateful afternoon on Saturday, September 30, when the Tigers smashed the Crows by 48 points.

For the fans, Thursday’s game couldn’t have come any quicker. Immediately after final siren sounded on the last Saturday in September their focus quickly turned to the grand final rematch, hellbent on redemption.

But there’s no such thing as redeeming a grand final loss, they stick with you forever.

I remember vividly the horror story that was the 2007 grand final when we were obliterated by Geelong, resulting in a record 119-point loss.

And while it doesn’t burn as much as it did then, it’s still there and always will be.

The key to dealing with the emotions is to make peace with the loss and use it to drive you forward to get better.

There’s no doubt tonight’s game has a more emotion attached to it than a run-of-the-mill minor round game.

The whole football world is watching to see who will be up for the contest and make a statement. But in reality, it’s a game Adelaide must win to square their season’s ledger.

Richmond won the 2017 premiership because it was more desperate, relentless and efficient with the ball. The Tigers were also too tough and uncompromising on the field and off it they didn’t let the mayhem of grand final week pull them off course.

Adelaide, however, went missing when it mattered most, but that’s history.

Tonight, the same challenge awaits but with a very different prize - four valuable points instead of a flag.

Warren Tredrea after the 2007 grand final loss.

Richmond has started its premiership defence brightly after last Thursday night’s inaccurate 26-point defeat of Carlton.

Adelaide was steamrolled in the last quarter by the fast-finishing Bombers who kicked the last five goals of the game.

Thursday night, past glories count for nothing. It’s a whole new ball game with new players and plenty at stake.

Adelaide must win to gain some much-needed confidence, so far it looks well short of its best. After indifferent pre-season form and a poor Round 1 showing, plenty of questions are already being asked of last years runners-up.

Are they fit enough? The jury’s still out after being overrun in every one of their three competitive matches in last quarters this year.

Is their defence up to it? They conceded a massive 19 marks - seven contested inside their defensive 50 against the Bombers, the most they gave up last season was 15 with an average of 2.8 contested per game.

They are clearly undermanned, but do they have the depth?

Very few teams can cover losses the calibre of forwards Tex Walker (foot) and Tom Lynch (side), onballers Brad Crouch (osteitis pubis) and Riley Knight (ankle). And after one round they’re clearly struggling to cover the loss of quarterback Brodie Smith (knee) and the departed Jake Lever in defence.

But tonight Adelaide’s 22 must beat Richmond’s 22.

Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin is set to play in his 200th official match on Thursday after overcoming a serious migraine and appears set to welcome back premiership heroes Bachar Houli and Dion Prestia.

Make no mistake the Tigers were embarrassed by the Crows at Adelaide Oval last year by 76 points and they won’t have forgotten.

Adelaide has to find a way to hang in there and pinch a few wins over the next few weeks while their injured players rehabilitate and gain match fitness.

A win will give the Crows a huge boost in belief and confidence.

The players have been stewing for six months about their grand final no show – thinking if only.

And while the premiership is long gone Don Pyke’s men can send a clear message to the rest of the completion - we’re not at our best but look out.

A win will make Adelaide feel a little better, but nothing heals the wounds of a grand final loss, the scars stay with you forever.

Redemption is a farce.

Originally published as The scars from the 2017 grand final loss will always be there for the Adelaide Crows