Adelaide Senor Coach Matthew Nicks says poor execution in the first half of the match against Fremantle cost his side the win.
The Crows fell agonisingly short in their Round One clash with the Dockers at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, going down by one point.
In the final 15 seconds, Adelaide's Ben Keays launched at the goal only for Fremantle's Heath Chapman to get a fist to the ball on the goal-line to stop a score.
Speaking to the media post-match, Nicks said his side was “gutted” given it was in front with about seven minutes remaining in the match.
“We didn’t rock up for 60 minutes, unfortunately,” Nicks said.
“Our opposition deserve credit because of the way they came out in the first half.
“Although we didn’t execute well at all and we gave them opportunities, they played good footy and they deserved to be where they were at half-time.
“Our guys are gutted. We are really developing a young group.”
Nicks was proud of new draftee Josh Rachelle’s first game in the tri colours after he booted five goals.
“I hope they (fans) are buzzing (about Rachele),” Nicks said.
“He’s a fantastic young man and, when given an opportunity, he’s pretty deadly in front of goal.
“He’s a complete footballer - he works hard off the field, he’s competitive and he has that polish.
“I’m really pleased for him and Jake (Soligo) playing their debuts - they both impacted the game and it was an outstanding debut from both kids.”
Nicks said although disappointed, the team would now regroup and assess how to get better for the Round Two match against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday at 1.15pm.
“The third quarter was pleasing, the fourth quarter even, to get ourselves in a position to win the game of footy,” Nicks said.
“Our next step is learning how to win that and winning more of those than you lose.
“We had our chances and in the end it fell the other way.
“But to the boys’ credit, the conversation at half-time and getting back to what we do best, I think we saw it in that third quarter.
“The key to this is, ‘Ok, what did we learn from today?
“There’s a fair bit that we will from that first half and when we play the way we want to play, we are a very good side.”
