Adelaide’s controversial loss to the Suns only enhanced its finals credentials, writes Matt Turner

Adelaide lost the game, but not any fans – and possibly very little momentum, writes MATT TURNER. Here’s why the Crows can’t get too caught up in that controversial non-call.

• Ex-umpire says Crows were robbed

Adelaide lost the game, but not any fans.

And possibly very little momentum.

If anything, the Crows’ performance in their first loss of the season – a controversial, one-point defeat at People First Stadium on Saturday – only enhanced their finals credentials.

Adelaide fought back twice from being 18 points down on the road against what might just be the best Suns squad since Gold Coast’s inception in 2011.

The entertaining game could have gone either way despite the hosts having seven more inside 50s.

Riley Thilthorpe (five goals, four clearances) and Jake Soligo (26 disposals, eight clearances, six tackles), both aged 22, took another big step towards stardom.

While the high-scoring Crows did not reach 100 points as they had in their opening three games, they came close (90) and went forward at rapid pace at times.

Several goals from defensive 50 transitions took under 30 seconds.

Overall, Adelaide booted an impressive 9.0 from back-half chains, outscoring Gold Coast by 35 points.

Jake Soligo’s brilliant start to the season continued. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos

The visitors’ attacking intent was symbolised by Wayne Milera marking in the defensive 50 with 29 seconds left in the first term and immediately launching an attacking foray with a kick in the middle of the ground, rather than putting any thought to playing out the time.

Soligo helped turn that passage into a goal with a one-on-one win and quick handball to a teammate after the footy had spilt loose.

The fourth-year midfielder’s statistics have been impressive this year, but his ability to make small moments big ones stand out just as much.

Thilthorpe’s tap over opponent Sam Collins’s shoulder that led to the Crows forward’s fifth goal was made possible by Soligo’s hard work on the wing.

Soligo broke through a contest to start the chain, passing smartly to Taylor Walker with the outside of his right boot.

Then there was Soligo’s toe poke to a teammate, just as Touk Miller looked like winning the ball on attacking 50 for the Suns.

The Crows go coast-to-coast after an Izak Rankine chasedown tackle

Another Crows fast break that ends with a Ben Keays goal

As for Thilthorpe, he looks a sneaky chance to win the Coleman Medal.

He has booted three, three, three and five goals from his opening four games, giving defenders a headache and carrying on his form from the end of 2024.

The 202cm behemoth proved too powerful for Collins and Mac Andrew on Saturday.

With plenty to like, perhaps the biggest frustration for Adelaide would be the familiarity of the final result.

Riley Thilthorpe competes with Jarrod Witts in the ruck. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Not only did the team feel it was on the wrong side of several contentious umpiring calls in a close game, particularly in the dying seconds, but it suffered yet another narrow loss.

Since the start of 2023, the Crows have a 20 per cent winning record in games decided by a goal or less.

They have gone 3-1-11 during that span after being 2-1-5 last year and 1-5 two seasons ago, when they fell agonisingly short of ending their finals drought.

Only Fremantle (1-1-5) and the Western Bulldogs (1-5) have struggled more than Adelaide in games decided by six points or fewer over the past three seasons.

In four of those 11 defeats, the AFL admitted umpires had made errors that either did or could have cost the Crows goals just before the siren.

This latest concession would be little solace to a frustrated Adelaide.

The Crows have previously spoken about not putting themselves in a position to have a game decided by factors out of its control.

They were +49 in disposals and +13 in clearances, but +10 in turnovers and had some costly ones, in a game of fine margins.

Adelaide’s record in close games is, of course, not down to just one thing.

A combination of bad luck, players making the wrong decision, skill execution under pressure, the opponent sometimes being better in key moments and, what Crows fans will believe is more than their fair share, the whistle not going their way late.

Originally published as Adelaide’s controversial loss to the Suns only enhanced its finals credentials, writes Matt Turner