Adelaide AFLW forward Eloise Jones says players are hurting following the heartbreaking one-point loss to North Melbourne in the Preliminary Final on Sunday.

The Crows had a chance to steal the win, as Anne Hatchard took a spectacular mark in the goal square and booted a major with less than two minutes remaining on the clock.

But it was not to be and Adelaide fell to the Kangaroos, 4.8 (32) to 4.7 (31) at IKON Park.

“Obviously it was an incredibly disappointing result,” Jones said on Monday.

“The one-point is always difficult and the group is pretty flat, travelling back last night and then back to reality today.

“If you look at the age of our group, we are quite young, and they played some phenomenal footy over the past couple of weeks.

“I think as a Club, we tend to set our standard pretty high and obviously the objective is to make a Grand Final, but when you’re making Prelims year-after-year and you’re still sitting in that top position, you can certainly count the season as a success.”

The 24-year-old forward, who finished the minor round with 17 goals, said missed opportunities early in the game cost the Crows.

“There were probably a few times where we didn’t execute inside-50 and on the scoreboard as well - four (goals) seven let us down a little bit,” Jones said.

“We wanted to come out firing and we probably lacked a little bit in that first quarter against North and it puts you behind the eight-ball as the game goes on.

“I think what we had been able to do is follow through in those next few quarters and run over teams, but unfortunately we just ran out of time against North and they got the better of us on the day.

“But North is a fantastic team and they’ve been able to overrun a lot of teams this year.”

Jones said players would regroup on Wednesday to debrief the game, before being given time off ahead of next year.

“We didn’t get to the finish line at the end, but I think what we were able to achieve this year has been phenomenal and I’m really proud of all the girls,” Jones said.

“It definitely does ignite a bit of fire and there’s already talks last night with girls wanting to get back into pre-pre season.

“But I think it’s really important to give the girls time away to enjoy their holidays and enjoy some time with family and friends.

“Then when we come back, make sure everyone is on board and can complete everything.”