Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks lamented the opening stages of Thursday night\u2019s loss to Geelong, suggesting \u201cwe were still on the bus\u201d.<\/p>\n
An undermanned Crows conceded the first 10 inside 50s of the game and Nicks admitted post-match that his side were lucky not to have been blown out in the first quarter.<\/p>\n
After experienced quartet Jordan Dawson, Taylor Walker, Rory Laird and Callum Ah Chee missed the trip to Victoria, many expected the Cats to run away with an easy win.<\/p>\n
But apart from the opening exchanges, Adelaide was able to match their much more experienced rivals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first 10 minutes were the issue, we were still on the bus,\u201d Nicks said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will be the one we will have to look at and look at the why.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adelaide did hit the front in the final term after Alex Neal-Bullen\u2019s long-range goal, but Nicks wasn\u2019t buying the gap in breaks between the two sides as a factor.<\/p>\n
The South Australians played last Friday night, while Geelong was returning from its first bye due to Opening Round.<\/p>\n
Although Nicks said there was \u201cno doubt\u201d the experience difference could have been a factor.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think when you lose the experience we lost, it challenges you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou take your top end as far as guys who are going to be able to control the game and they\u2019ve been through what we\u2019re about to go through.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got guys coming in who are playing their first 10 games.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew that was going to be a challenge tonight, we brought over a reasonably young side but not to the point where we\u2019re sitting here 10 minutes in.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of breakdown in that. We\u2019d like to think we\u2019ve got a lot more depth than that in our group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adelaide defender Jordon Butts was taken from the ground for assessment minutes after he collided with the back of Lachlan McAndrew\u2019s head in a marking contest.<\/p>\n
Nicks said the concussion test was \u201creally professional\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Crows coach said he was hoping to regain Dawson, Laird and Walker for his side\u2019s next game with Fremantle.<\/p>\n