If Adelaide is to claim this season’s premiership, it’ll have to do it the hard way after a 24-point loss to the Magpies.
Some of the Crows’ veterans stood up, but nearly half of the team struggled on the big stage.
We rate every Adelaide player out of 10 from the qualifying final vs Collingwood.
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2. Ben Keays
Just two touches in the first half before he got going with an eight-disposal third term. But finished goalless. Overall, a disappointing night for one of the Crows’ most influential, heart-and-soul players. 3
3. Sam Berry
Started at the first centre bounce and was typically tough at the coalface. But didn’t kick on after that, with 12 touches and five clearances. 5
6. Dan Curtin
Certainly wasn’t the Crows’ worst in his first final. Held his width well on the wing. Finished with 17 disposals. 6
7. Riley Thilthorpe
Just didn’t play with the same presence and aggression we’re used to. Had Billy Frampton for company when inside 50. Was gifted a goal in the second quarter thanks to a Mason Cox 50m penalty, but it was one of just two kicks in the forward half in the first half. Took a towering pack mark late in the third quarter that led a team-lifting goal, but failed to take a key moment in the fourth quarter when he handballed to an under-pressure teammate rather than snapping a goal. 5
9. Nick Murray
Rotated through a few opponents, including Mason Cox. Like many of his Crows defenders, struggled to contain the Pies onslaught. 4
10. Luke Pedlar
A great inclusion who stepped up when many of his other forwards didn’t stand up. Flushed a quality set-shot goal midway through the second term that put Adelaide in front — then kicked two goals against the flow of the game in the third term. 7
12. Jordan Dawson
Set the tone at the coalface early. Produced a huge captain’s moment in the first quarter, with great defensive pressure leading to a Darcy Moore fumble, which gave Dawson the chance to pounce and snap a team-lifting goal. Just one handball in the third term and six touches in the fourth quarter. Well below his best. 4
13. Taylor Walker
Couldn’t have done much more for his team in game No. 300. Manned up by a combination of Darcy Moore and Billy Frampton and looked dangerous all night. After a slow start, brought the home crowd to life with a cracking mark and set-shot goal. Fox Footy’s David King said: “If you needed something to get themselves involved in the game and create something for the crowd, it was the big Texan.” But King also pointed out Walker was getting “beaten for positioning” by Moore, who gobbled up the intercept marks early. Added a second major in the second term and his field kicking was elite, but missed a few crucial shots in the second half. Still, that loss would’ve hurt a lot. 7
14. Jake Soligo
In at the first centre bounce and finished strong with eight final-term disposals. Finished with 21 for the game to go with 10 contested possessions and five tackles, but not a big impact on the game. 5
16. Max Michalanney
Back in the team after a layoff due to a hamstring injury. But just one touch in the first quarter and 10 for the game playing mainly between the arcs. 3
19. Zac Taylor
Played across half-forward and had eight touches from 73 per cent game time. Not a big influence on the game. 3
20. Mitch Hinge
Subbed out late in the third quarter with just seven touches — his lowest as a starting-22 player for the whole season. Just couldn’t get his run and carry game going. 2
24. Josh Worrell
A polite reminder to the All-Australian selectors of his quality after missing the cut of the final 22. Got his intercept game going early and provided great drive from the back-half. Finished with a team-high 26 disposals, eight intercepts and eight rebound 50s, while going at 83 per cent by foot. 8
25. James Peatling
Well below his best. Only three disposals across the first half and a season-low eight for the game, to go with one clearance. 2
28. Alex Neal-Bullen
Threatened to break the game open a few times. Thought he’d kicked Adelaide’s first goal, only to be denied by a (correct) score review. Set up Luke Pedlar’s second quarter goal with a brilliant inside 50 kick. Finished with 17 touches, seven tackles and six inside 50s. 6
29. Rory Laird
Wound back the clock after being injected into the midfield to try and spark his team. Produced an incredible clearance that nearly led to Adelaide’s first goal. Finished with 24 touches, 17 contested possessions and six clearances. The issue is, the Crows shouldn’t be going back to Laird for a midfield spark at this stage in their journey … 7
30. Wayne Milera
Just the 11 disposals and 139m gained across half-back. 3
32. Darcy Fogarty
Lucky not to get subbed. Manned up by Brayden Maynard and well beaten. Had no impact in the first half, especially. Finished scoreless from 10 touches and two score involvements. 2
33. Brodie Smith
Started as the sub before being injected into the game late in the third quarter. Made a crucial intercept play early in the fourth term, but blasted the ball inside 50 wastefully late in the quarter when the Crows needed some composure. N/A
40. Hugh Bond
Went to Jamie Elliott, who looked dangerous against him in one-on-ones but Bond had some good moments and wins on the turf. 5
43. Reilly O’Brien
Probably won the ruck battle against Darcy Cameron. Was busy and competitive around the ground for the whole night. 6
44. Isaac Cumming
A season-low seven disposals. Very little impact on the game. 2
48. Mark Keane
A frustrating night. Started on Tim Membrey but spent a lot of time on Brody Mihocek as well. Tried to get free as often as possible, being aggressive with his positioning playing in front, leading to 16 disposals and six intercepts. But made some costly errors in his own defensive 50. 5