Issues at Adelaide derailing season: Wilson

Currently sitting eight on the ladder, the Crows suffered their fourth loss in five weeks against Carlton over the weekend.

Caroline Wilson believes there is some unrest at the Adelaide Crows after a decline in form over recent weeks.

After playing in the 2017 Grand Final, Adelaide missed the finals all together last season, with a controversial player camp leading to a year of tension.

Wilson says that Carlton caretaker coach David Teague’s name has been thrown around the club.

“Don’t think that Carlton is the only club interested in David Teague,” she told Sportsday Radio.

“Two words – player power. Two more words – Adelaide Crows.”

With expectations not being met and a great amount of discord at the club, Wilson says that pressure on Adelaide coach Don Pyke is mounting.

“Don Pyke is on the nose. I’m sorry, but he is. The players are not happy,” she said.

“He may well be there (next year), but I’m just telling you, these players have jacked up before on a coach. They did it to Brenton Sanderson and we saw what happened then.

“The players loved Don Pyke early doors. They don’t love him now. They’re not happy with a few of their coaching group.

“They’re as flat as a tack, there is dissension in the ranks, I don’t care what anyone says, there is still so much residual damage from the camp that took place 18 months ago.”

However, whilst pressure continues to mount on Pyke, Wilson believes that the hierarchy at the club is also apart of the problem.

“There are huge problems at Adelaide,” she said.

“David Teague left at the end of 2017. The players loved him. You saw the way they greeted him at the MCG on Saturday and I’m not saying the club will capitulate again, but they’ve got a very big problem there.

“Don Pyke and Brett Burton and Scott Camporeale and Mark Ricciuto are part of that problem.”

Adelaide will play in a must-win game against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. Currently, the Crows remain in the top eight by percentage only and will need to secure a win this week if they wish to keep their finals hopes alive.