Adelaide Senior Coach Matthew Nicks believes a touching post-game moment on Saturday is indicative of the Crows’ future. 

As the siren sounded and the fans’ roar echoed through the stands, cameras captured the younger Adelaide playing group giving the boys a standing ovation in the box. 

“That was probably the most pleasing thing about the weekend was to see the vision of the younger guys up in the stand,” Nicks said. 

“The passion they showed and the enjoyment, that’s such a good sign for our group.”

Nicks said the players’ genuine excitement showed just how eager some prospective debutants were.

“Most teams play 28-35 players during the season, depending on where you finish, and we’re gonna need those guys ready to go,” he said. 

Despite the enjoyment of the Geelong upset, Nicks said the Crows’ heads were firmly faced toward the weekend. 

He said there was no risk of players getting over-confident ahead of a challenging Sydney clash. 

“I haven’t had to work that hard (to keep them focused) because I’ve got some experienced heads around the place - Rory (Sloane) is one,” Nicks said. 

“Straight after the game he goes, ‘Let’s enjoy this but at the same time let’s move on, we’ve got Sydney next week’.

“You have to enjoy a win like that, you have to enjoy the fact that we played at a level like that and we played a brand of footy that we want to put out week-in, week-out.

“The challenge is there for us again.”