Adelaide fell to Fremantle by 18 points in its Anzac Day clash at Optus Stadium on Friday night.

The Crows fought back in the final term, cutting a 42-point three-quarter time deficit but it wasn’t enough, eventually going down 12.13 (85) to 9.13 (67).

Here are five takeaways from Senior Coach Matthew Nicks’ post-game press conference.

Midfield momentum favoured Freo

Adelaide entered the match knowing Fremantle would be strong in the contest but failed to match the Dockers, according to Nicks.

The hosts won the clearances 38-30, and the centre clearances 11-7.

Nicks said it would be a key area reviewed ahead of next week’s game against Carlton.

“(We were) beaten up in the contest, we’ll have a good look at that,” Nicks said.

“We are licking our wounds at the moment when it comes to that midfield battle.

“We knew it was coming, it was a big build up on a big stage and unfortunately we didn’t bring our A-game.

“As I’ve talked through, the game is won and lost in the midfield more often than not and tonight was a prime example.”

Crows left to rue missed opportunities 

Adelaide finished the game with 14 marks and 18 tackles inside its attacking 50 but finished with a score line of 9.13.

It left Nicks to lament his side’s conversion in front of the big sticks.

“We had our chances, we are sitting in a spot at the moment where we are really disappointed with what we put out there tonight,” Nicks said.

“We didn’t kick straight… We missed some goals that we’ve been knocking through.

“Tonight was just one of those nights and we got a lot of areas wrong.

“That one (goal kicking) on top of that, not being able to knock it through when we had the chance… That’s going to cost you the game.”

Tough Perth trip highlights importance of top form

Travelling west and playing in Perth has always been a tough task but when a team isn’t at its best, it becomes even harder.

Nicks conceded the Crows were “a couple of per cent off” during the clash against Fremantle and were punished.

“They had sharper feet than us, we were missing tackles, (which was) uncharacteristic for us,” Nicks said.

“I think we were a tiny bit off, a couple of per cent off, and they were on, to their credit.

“We end up playing the game in our back half and that’s a challenge, no matter where you play, but it’s pretty hard to come and win here (in Perth).

“When you’re not right at the start, unfortunately then at the end of that first quarter to have a couple of those quick (goals) against us in red-time, that (meant) we hit quarter-time in a pretty flat spot.”

Reflecting on the final-quarter fightback

The Crows faced a 42-pont deficit at three-quarter time but pegged back the margin, resulting in an eventual three-goal loss.

Despite the scoreboard not being in Adelaide’s favour at the final change, there were some positive sides and Nicks said his players’ resilience could be commended.

“We kept fighting, but you’ve got to be better than that in these games,” Nicks said.

“We changed a few things and to the guys’ credit, we kept coming at them.

“We probably took a bit of positives into the fourth because it was a quarter where we felt like the game turned a little bit for us, and we tried to keep that momentum into the last.

“We said, ‘Well the scoreboard didn’t look good for us but we were going to try and finish strong’. You don’t want to finish a game like that and try and find too many positives, we’ve got to be better.”

On Thilthorpe’s finger injury

Crows key forward Riley Thilthorpe left the field in the third quarter with a finger issue but played out the game and managed to have an influence, ending the night with three goals.

Nicks said more detailed information on Thilthorpe’s finger injury would come to light in the next few days but lauded the 22-year-old’s ability to stand tall and continue to impact the match.

“I think it’s dislocated but someone will have to see to what extent that is.

“He's very important to us at the moment, as you saw tonight, so it was nice to see him come back out, but we'll know more as that settles down. 

"Riley does get a lot of footy's in his hands and goes for a lot of contested marks, and so his hands are getting beaten up. He's a pretty tough young kid.

"He kept fighting for us tonight. It's the sort of character that we think we've brought into the footy club, but hopefully he's okay."