In the aftermath of Adelaide’s 12-point loss to Essendon on Friday night, Crows players were left to lament a disappointing final quarter which saw the visitors concede the last seven scoring shots of the game and a golden opportunity to claim four premiership points.

Despite outstanding performances from 2017 All Australians Matt Crouch (41 disposals) and Rory Laird (40), and Club debutant Bryce Gibbs (35 disposals, two goals), the Crows were unable to secure victory despite leading by 20 points at the seven-minute mark of the final term.

Following the game, forward Mitch McGovern told afc.com.au the Crows needed ‘more weight of numbers to get the job done’ as a collective unit and indicated his side lost control of the contest.

“It was very disappointing. We were thereabouts for three quarters,” he said.

“Unfortunately in the last quarter they got a bit of a run on us, using their hands out of the stoppages and I think we just lacked a bit of composure.

“Obviously it is Round One and the game’s a bit quicker at Etihad (Stadium) and against a good side in Essendon so tough loss and we’ve got a lot to learn from it.” 

With skipper Taylor Walker and key linkman Tom Lynch both absent due to injury, McGovern was one of the focal points in a vastly different looking Crows forward line.

Curtly Hampton and Hugh Greenwood both spent time up forward, while Lachlan Murphy and Darcy Fogarty made their AFL debuts against the Bombers, combining for three goals between them. 

“A couple of young guys came in, obviously ‘Murph’ and ‘Darce’ up forward and even ‘Dudes’ [Tom Doedee],” McGovern said. 

“They can hold their heads up very high because they did really well today, and I think they held their own.”

Adelaide’s focus immediately shifts to next week, with the Crows facing a six-day break ahead of a Grand Final rematch with Richmond at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

“That’s the great thing about being so early in the season is we get to come back next week,” he said. 

“It’ll be a very big game against Richmond, so we get into recovery, get everything right and we’ll put our best foot forward for Thursday night.”