‘Expecting to win, not hoping’: Adelaide Crows aim to reverse close losses trend from 2023

Crows skipper Jordan Dawson returned home to Robe as part of Adelaide’s pre-season camp and said his side were looking to build some mental toughness following five close losses in 2023.

Adelaide Crows pre-season camp at Robe, South Australia, 24th Jan 2024. Picture: Harrison Mielke/ AFC

Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson says improving team defence has been a pre-season focus as the club seeks to make the finals.

Last year the Crows became the competition’s first topscoring side to miss the major round since 1968, while they ranked ninth – also their ladder position – for points against.

Adelaide lost five matches by a goal or less.

Jordan Dawson running through the middle at Robe Sports and Recreation Reserve. Picture: Harrison Mielke/ AFC

Rising Crows young gun Josh Rachele at Robe. Picture: Harrison Mielke/ AFC

“We’re looking to sharpen up our defensive side of our game and I think that comes with a little bit of experience in those close games,” Dawson said.

“That’s naturally going to progress with a younger side, expecting to win those close games, not just hoping to win.”

The Crows trained in Dawson’s hometown of Robe, in the state’s southeast, on Wednesday.

He was very proud of the area and said returning as Crows skipper made the captaincy sink in.

“Coming back, you kind of remove yourself from footy and all the locals treat you as you were when you were a young kid,” said Dawson, who won an under-17 flag as a 14-year-old for Robe, before joining Sturt then getting drafted to Sydney.

“But then you come back with the footy club … and it’s pretty cool to think that this is where my footy journey started.

“It’s a four or five-hour drive and some of these kids would’ve never seen AFL players before.

“I feel it was really important to give back to the kids and show that it is possible to play AFL if you’re around the country.”