Adelaide Crows coach Matthew Nicks is under the most pressure of his tenure thus far following a shock home defeat to the 17th-placed Richmond Tigers.
The Crows' aspirations for the 2024 finals were in serious jeopardy before the match and may now be dead after being outplayed by an injury-riddled Richmond side, who only managed one win this season before Thursday night's upset.
Desolate in his post-match press conference, Nicks conceded that his team is suffering from a significant confidence crisis and is simply "not good enough."
The loss has intensified scrutiny on his leadership and the overall direction of the club, particularly given the high expectations set for this season.
"We don't have excuses… we're not good enough at this point," Nicks admitted.
"It can be a really quick turnaround from having great belief. Three weeks ago we played a game where most were saying, 'Hey, this team's got some confidence.' But now, we don't have any."
Nicks highlighted his team's inability to stop opposition momentum as a key factor in their current slump. This weakness was on full display during the third quarter against Richmond, where the Tigers' six-goal blitz effectively sealed Adelaide's fate.
Full time. pic.twitter.com/nBlzTgqQLs
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) June 6, 2024
Despite the chairman John Olsen expressing "no issue" with extending Nicks' contract for another two years straight after round one, the pressure on Nicks is now at an all-time high. The coach remains resolute but acknowledges the increased pressure.
"I have mentioned it before, that I am actually in the job because I enjoy pressure. Right now, it's at its highest," Nicks said.
"We felt confident at the start of the game, we played some footy throughout this game where it looked like we had it, then post-siren we sit in a pretty dark spot."
The Crows have now slumped to 14th on the ladder, with just four wins from 13 games. Their hopes of breaking a seven-year finals drought appear bleak, with mathematical chances being their only lifeline.
Nicks, however, remains confident in his connection with his players and their ability to turn things around.
"We're still tight and working through what we want to do," Nicks asserted.
"Probably the most frustrating part about it all is that we actually have an understanding of it. It's just the ability to get back to where we know we can be."
The loss to Richmond has not only highlighted the team's on-field issues but also sparked a broader call for introspection within the club. Fans and analysts alike are demanding answers and questioning whether the current strategies and personnel are the right fit for the club's future success.
Nicks has appealed to the frustrated Crows supporters to stick by the team during this challenging period.
"I completely understand how they feel and we sit in the same boat," he said.
"We are frustrated, we're disappointed in what we're putting out there, and I would ask them just to stick by us. It's a tough time at the moment but stick by us."
With their next clash against the clear competition benchmark Sydney Swans, the Crows grim reality may only worsen in a matter of days.
Nicks and his team will toil to salvage their dismal season and find the form and confidence that has eluded them in recent weeks. Next week's clash may not restore 2024 hopes, but may restore faith among their loyal supporters in the back half of the year.
