Dawson spoke after the semi-final against Hawthorn
Adelaide Captain Jordan Dawson has labelled the Crows’ loss to Hawthorn as “devastating,” but says it shouldn’t overshadow the team’s rise from bottom eight to finals contender.
The Crows’ 2025 campaign, in which they climbed from 15th in 2024 to top-of-the-ladder, ended with a defeat against the Hawks in a semi-final at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Speaking from the changerooms after the loss, the third-year Skipper said players were disappointed but determined to learn from the Club’s first AFL finals appearance since 2017.
“It’s pretty devastating, to be honest,” Dawson said.
“Obviously I am very proud of the group and where we have come from, but also so disappointed that our season is done, and that we couldn’t play the way that we really wanted to.
“The growth of the group has been unbelievable, we’ve seen that in a lot of individuals and then as a group, we’ve been able to jell as a team and play some high level footy.
“We’ll have to learn from this and get better, but also take away some real positives.”
Speaking on the team’s performance, Dawson said there were many factors behind the loss and the Crows had plenty to work on ahead of next season.
“It will be good to look back on, but I feel like our ability to halt momentum a little bit, but also our style, and what’s worked for us throughout the year,” Dawson said.
“Our ability to wrestle that back and play our brand is something we will try and do going forward.
“Our skill execution going inside the forward half (cost us), and then their ability to be clean around the contest and use the ball on the outside is something we didn’t handle too well.
“We got some pretty harsh feedback that we aren’t ready for finals, yet, it’s going to hurt, but we will learn from it and improve.”
Dawson was one of just seven Crows to have lined up in an AFL finals series before the team’s qualifying final against Collingwood a fortnight ago.
The third-year Skipper believed his teammates would be better for having a September campaign under their belt.
“Finals footy is another level up and there’s certain things you have to bring in finals footy,” Dawson said.
“We’ll be better for the experience as a group and as individuals.
“We’ll learn from it and hopefully be here again next year.”
Dawson also thanked the Crows’ Members and supporters, with a crowd of more than 52,000 at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
“They’ve been unbelievable all year,” Dawson said.
“Since Round One against the Saints, they’ve been here rain, hail or shine.
“We’ve had at least 40,000 each game (at Adelaide Oval), I’m disappointed we couldn’t finish the season the way we all wanted to, but I can’t thank them enough for their support, through thick and thin.”