Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson has backed the Club to respond after a “horrific” performance against Melbourne on Saturday.
After kicking the first goal in the opening minute of the game, the Crows were completely outplayed by the Demons, failing to register another goal until the 21-minute mark of the second term. The result was a 28-point deficit at the main change.
Sanderson said the disappointing display had been addressed in a “scathing” review on Monday.
“That first half against Melbourne was as bad as we’ve played in the two-and-a-half years I’ve been here,” Sanderson said on FIVEaa on Monday night.
“We were really, really angry and upset. We took it out on the players in the review. Gee, it horrific. I showed some edits to the players where I just can’t believe it was us playing.
“We lost Tommy Lynch and Matthew Jaensch (to injury) early, so we were down to two players on the bench. The boys were able to outscore Melbourne by 25 points in the second half, but the horse had bolted.
“I know sometimes our supporters want to hear me angry and yelling … but our players are really clear when I’m not getting what I want from them. If you weren’t clear today (Monday) when you left the footy club about what’s expected of a Crows player, you had ear muffs on during the review.
“We’re kidding ourselves if we think that’s going to compete with the best sides in the competition.”
Sanderson said he was equally critical of the forwards, midfielders and defenders, adding improvement was required across the Club, including the coaching staff.
“We’re going to work our backsides off to improve our footy club,” he said.
“We’ve got to make sure we improve and that’s all of us; from me and the assistant coaches to the leadership group down to the 45th player on our list. I know our members and supporters are really disappointed in us at the moment. We accept that. We’re really flat about how we played 48 hours ago too.
“That’s not who we are. We’ll be better. We’ve got a chance in nine days to redeem ourselves when we play a really hot Collingwood side.”
Sanderson identified the priority areas for improvement: the team’s starts, turnovers, contested ball and full-ground defensive pressure.
“Number one on our list is our starts. We’ve only won two of our seven first quarters,” he said.
“I know people will want to know, ‘What are you saying to them before the game? What’s the mood like in the rooms? It frustrates me because it feels like we’re ready to start. The players are really up and the body language is that we’re going to start the game with a really high intensity.
“Even on the weekend, Dangerfield kicks the first goal within 45 seconds and we feel like we’re up and about but Melbourne kicked the next six or seven.”
Sanderson said the Crows were also being scored against too heavily from their turnovers.
“Our kicking efficiency is really poor and sometimes under no pressure at all. On the weekend in the first half we kicked the ball at 47 per cent effectiveness … which is diabolical,” he said.
“We’re playing a bit more through the corridor, which helps our attack. Prior to the weekend, we were the third-ranked attack in the competition … but sometimes when you turn the ball over there it comes back with interest the other way. That’s one thing we need to look at.
“Do we play a bit more boundary and safe? It’s not attractive or how I want to play (but it leaves you less susceptible to scores from turnovers).”
While some of those turnovers can be ‘indefensible’, Adelaide’s defensive action also needs to be better. Sanderson said there some “lazy” efforts at critical times on Saturday, including the play that allowed Melbourne ruckman Mark Jamar to mark on the goal line in the dying stages.
“We’re a very good side when we get the game on our terms, but when things aren’t going our way (we can’t afford to) be scored against and that’s what’s happening at the moment … our defence isn’t strong enough to hold the opposition. We need a better balance (of attack and defence),” he said.
“It’s not the defenders. I think the main issue is we’re not working as a team defensively. That’s working together so that when I can’t get to my opponent, one of my teammates does.
“We’ve got to get back to doing the basics of defence really well.”
The players and coaches will have a few days off before returning to the Club to prepare for the blockbuster clash with Collingwood next Thursday night.
Sanderson said Taylor Walker would play his first AFL game since injuring his knee in Round Five last year, while midfielder Richard Douglas would return from suspension.
“We get Tex back against Collingwood which will be a significant lift for us. I know our fans can’t wait to see him back out there again. He looked great again in Clare on the weekend,” he said.
“Hopefully, he can help straighten us up a bit.”
The Crows currently sit one win outside the top eight. Sanderson said the Club had “plenty of fight left” in its season.
“We can play good footy. We just can’t sustain it at the moment,” he said.
“The players are good. We get on great. I have some really strong conversations with individuals and I normally do that one on one. I’ll back them in. I really care about them and I know we can have some long-term success with our footy club.
“We’ve got some great young talent. We’ve had seven Rising Star nominations in the last two years – that’s second only to GWS. Our development program is great. I know this club can have success in the future.”
