Both captain and coach agreed that it was effort, rather than execution, that cost Adelaide in its SANFL clash with Central District on Saturday.
After slotting the opening goal of the game, the SANFL Crows conceded the next three goals in succession to fall seven points adrift of the Bulldogs by the first change at My Money House Oval.
Centrals looked even more threatening in the second term, where the home side earned an 18-5 inside 50m advantage and had eight scoring shots to Adelaide’s two.
It was the Crows’ efficiency that ultimately kept the visitors in the contest. Adelaide booted six goals from 11 entries in the third term while the Bulldogs managed just one major from 10 forward forays of their own.
Leading by just five points at three-quarter time, Centrals banged on two quick goals to kick off the final term to all-but kill off the contest.
Crows SANFL captain Luke Carey said Adelaide got the result it deserved.
“Our work rate let us down today,” he said.
“Right from the first quarter we were just second to the footy, and it continued like that throughout the game.”
Coach Heath Younie echoed Carey’s comments.
“We didn’t match them,” he said.
“Full credit to them, I thought they played a really good brand of footy. Across the board we just didn’t work hard enough.”
The final result could’ve been worse given the volume of forward opportunities allowed to the home side. Central District finished with 23 more inside 50m entries and eight more scoring shots.
But Adelaide’s defence held up strongly to give the Crows some hope. Andy Otten didn’t miss a beat in his return from a two-game suspension, collecting 23 possessions, six marks and even drifting forward for a late goal. Jake Kelly had a career-best 27 disposals and five rebound 50ms in his own comeback match, while youngster Tom Doedee and Carey also stood up in the face of adversity.
Carey said the inclusion of Otten and Kelly, who both spent two weeks on the sidelines, was significant.
“Those two guys are so valuable to our setup,” he said.
“Their voice is crucial and they always look to help the younger guys out. They were both great today, especially ‘Otto’.”
After assuming the mantle from Ian Callinan, Carey has now led Adelaide for seven games as its new SANFL captain. From big wins, to a heartbreaking loss to South Adelaide, to a hard-fought fightback over the Roosters, the 26-year-old has already experienced a rollercoaster ride as skipper.
The country boy from Echunga said he was relishing the role.
“I’m loving it,” Carey said.
“Everyone’s been helping me out. I’m enjoying the leadership role and being able to direct people with my voice and my actions on the field.”
A development-listed player, Carey said he had no qualms in giving orders to his AFL-listed teammates if it was for the betterment of the team.
“That’s what we’re trying to build here,” he said.
“Everyone has a voice, so if they see something that they pick up on then everyone has to be open to receiving constructive criticism. It doesn’t matter if you’re a development player or an AFL player, that’s our expectation.
“We’re keen to keep pushing that through the whole Club.”
