It was a season of progress, many highlights and missed opportunities. There’s no doubt we achieved our goal of challenging the best sides, having lost to finals-bound teams – Collingwood, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney – by a kick or less. Winning both Showdowns was the best!

While there was a lot to like and we saw individuals, the team and our game style evolve and improve, we are not satisfied. We need to be better in the big moments in games and we must win away from Adelaide Oval, and rest assured we will seek a better road trip schedule while continuing to refine every area of what we do.

Footy moves at a fast pace and with our season now done, players will have one-on-one meetings with coaches and medical staff over the next 72-hours before taking leave.

It is hard not to ponder what might have been given the way results unfolded over the weekend.

As some of you have pointed out, we would have finished in eighth spot and be playing finals, if not for the controversial goal umpiring decision in the game against the Swans over a week ago. Coupled with the Collingwood match at the MCG, it amounts to two game defining moments for which the AFL apologised to us.

While there has been calls for the Club to take legal action against the League regarding the Round 23 incident, it would have been a futile exercise. We sought and received legal advice, including counsel from two KCs, and we were told there were no grounds for us to successfully challenge. Make no mistake, we considered all possible options in the wake of that game!

We must also acknowledge there were numerous other occasions during the season, including losing five games by a goal or less, where we could have taken destiny into our own hands.

Attention now turns to list management and in coming weeks you will hear plenty of stories and rumours about player movement across the competition. Some will be true and others false, and it’s an intriguing time of year.

The Club has been successful in securing star recruits like Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine over the past couple of years, and we will continue to be very selective in the types of players we pursue. We have a clear and considered plan, and we will only look to add talent that fills a need.

Off-field, we are in a strong and stable position. Your support has reached unprecedented levels and our membership tally now sits at more than 68,000 – a record – and counting.

We achieved our financial benchmarks and plans to build a new training and administration headquarters continue to advance. We hope to be able to update you on progress soon.

While one season comes to a close, another is about to begin, and we look towards the AFLW season with great optimism. We kick off with a Showdown at Norwood Oval on Saturday and we encourage you to join us and support our women’s team.

Given the generous concessions provided to the expansion teams, our off-season recruiting strategy has been clever, creative, and effective. We have confidence in the talent in our squad and equally, our players, coaches and staff have the work ethic and commitment to match.

The standard of this year’s competition is tipped to go up another level however, we expect to be challenging for a top 4 spot which would have us well placed to push for another premiership.

Our SANFL team is also chasing a flag after finishing third on the ladder and securing a double chance. Mick Godden and his coaching group, staff and players have performed consistently throughout the season and enter the finals in good shape. We wish them well for Sunday’s Qualifying Final against Sturt at Adelaide Oval.

There’s nothing quite like the highs and lows of a footy season, not to mention the emotional rollercoaster, and we can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support and passion. We are on a good journey. Go Crows.