Doughty backs Craig
Crows veteran Michael Doughty says speculation coach Neil Craig has lost the playing group is incorrect
Speculation Craig's message was no longer getting through to his players heightened on Sunday following the Crows' poor showing against the Cats.
The visitors lacked intent particularly in the first quarter, when they struggled to win possession of the ball and were outscored seven goals to one.
The Crows rallied in the final quarter, but the end result was a 52-point loss.
Doughty conceded Adelaide's first quarter at Skilled Stadium was the "worst quarter" of the club's disappointing season so far, but said Craig was not to blame for the start.
"Craigy's a good mentor and has still got the trust and belief in the players," Doughty said on Wednesday.
"Players are still going to him, wanting information and are still learning from him. While that's happening he's still got the players on-board. Nothing's changed from all the players at the moment.
"I'm not going to make any excuses for that [first quarter against Geelong]. It's not acceptable and people should be embarrassed by that sort of intensity and the football we played … but it's up to us [as players to change it].
"I'm positive Craigy is [the right person]. His message hasn't changed and we still believe we can do it. "
On Saturday, Essendon director of coaching and former Geelong premiership coach Mark Thompson added his name to the list of respected people to endorse former Crows captain and current Bombers assistant coach Simon Goodwin, as a senior coach in-waiting.
Thompson declared Goodwin, who joined the Bombers after retiring from the game at the end of last season, as being ready to coach but Doughty wasn't convinced.
"Goody's got the capabilities of being a great AFL coach, but he's got a lot of work to do and he knows that," Doughty said.
"I catch up with him regularly and he's happy where he is at the moment. He's learning his caper over there at Essendon."
Adelaide will attempt to snap a six-game losing streak against the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.
Promoted rookie Chris Schmidt will miss the clash after having minor surgery on his knee. The club is yet to put a time frame on his return.
Forward Ricky Henderson (concussion) failed to train on Wednesday and is also in doubt, but Matt Jaensch (back), Brad Symes (knee) and Richard Tambling (illness) are all available.
Wingman David Mackay made a successful return from shoulder surgery in the SANFL last weekend, and will also be considered to play against the Swans.
The Swans, who got within a kick of upsetting reigning premiers Collingwood last weekend, are in good form despite having lost their last two games.
Doughty, who will play his 200th game against the Swans, said the clash would be a test of his team's competitiveness, and also its tackling - a skill the Crows (ranked last in the competition) have struggled to execute this season.
"We need to find that hard edge and compete consistently for four quarters," he said.
"When you're sitting last in an area like tackling there are alarm bells. Players have been identified and are working on it behind closed doors.
"There are technique issues with some of the tackling and you've also really got to want to tackle when you tackle.
"Some of the tackles this year, including some of my own, haven't been up to the required level."
Doughty also confirmed he would join the majority of his teammates at a meeting in Adelaide on Wednesday night to receive an update on the status of the collective bargaining agreement negotiations with the AFL, via video link from Melbourne.
Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill