Adelaide Crows chief executive Tim Silvers has launched a thorough review of the club’s football department staff and structure this week, 7NEWS Melbourne’s Theo Doropoulos has revealed.
The Crows imploded against AFL premiership favourites Sydney on Saturday and are all but consigned to another year without a finals appearance.
On the back of their recent form woes, a deep dive into their setup gets underway during this week’s bye — but senior coach Matthew Nicks’ position is not in jeopardy, having the back of both Silvers and chairman John Olsen.
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Nicks’ contract was extended until the end of 2026 on the eve of the season despite being without a top-eight finish since taking over at the start of 2020.
“I’ve learnt that I’ve got a pretty good footy club looking after me at the moment,” the coach said after the loss to Sydney.
“It’s challenging. But I’ve got full backing of this footy club.
“John and Tim have been amazing for me. Our playing group have been incredible through this tough time.
“So I hope that’s a sign of the sort of human I am. We’re not going to give up. We’re going to keep pushing through.
“We actually feel that we are making progress this year, and it’s dangerous to say that, because our results don’t show that, and we understand. We understand the frustration, and we have the same frustration.”
He praised his players for the way they have dealt with the growing scrutiny of the club.
“They’ve handled it well from what I can see. Inside the four walls it’s business as usual,” Nicks said.
“We’re working hard to be a better footy team. The environment remains a positive environment. We want to keep it that way. We also acknowledge and understand we have to be a lot better.
“That doesn’t mean we’re going to drop our bundle and give up. The season – we’ve still got a fair way to go.
“We’re all competitors and we hate losing. We know the journey we’re on and we’re sticking to it.”
Adelaide will return from this week’s bye with nine games left to restore some pride and find answers to take into 2025.
They will host the GWS Giants and St Kilda in between a trip north to face the in-form Brisbane Lions.
A Showdown with Port Adelaide looms large in the penultimate round before a Swans rematch in the last week of the home-and-away season.
– with AAP