Editing Adelaide Football Club (section)

==History==
{{Main|History of the Adelaide Football Club}}
[[File:Performance Chart AFL ADE.svg|thumb|Chart of yearly ladder positions for Adelaide in [[Australian Football League|AFL]]]]

===1990s: Foundation and back-to-back triumph===
After the VFL was renamed the AFL for the 1990 season, the SANFL clubs unanimously resolved, in 1990, that a team would not be entered into the AFL until 1992.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 August 1990 |title=SANFL tops Port's bid with plan for composite AFL team in 1992 |volume=64 |page=15 |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |issue=20,216 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122304892 |access-date=10 January 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The AFL refused to accept this, and revised negotiations with individual clubs [[Port Adelaide Football Club|Port Adelaide]] and [[Norwood Football Club|Norwood]].<ref>{{cite news |date=17 August 1990 |title=OPINION |volume=77 |page=970 |newspaper=[[Victor Harbor Times]] |issue=3,853 |location=South Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196363637 |access-date=10 January 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Two months later, the [[Port Adelaide Football Club]] reached terms of agreement with the AFL to enter a team into its competition in season 1991. The other nine SANFL clubs reacted strongly and entered into litigation in an endeavour to halt Port's bid. As the terms offered were more favourable than previously offered, talks were resumed.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=18 September 1990 |title=SANFL side 'closer' |volume=65 |page=22 |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |issue=20,248 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122311621 |access-date=10 January 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> On 19 September 1990, the AFL approved the bid for a new South Australian club to enter into the league rather than a single existing [[SANFL]] club.<ref name=ShortHist/><ref name=":0" />

The Adelaide Crows played their first season in the AFL in [[1991 AFL season|1991]].<ref name=ourhistory>{{cite web|title=Our History|url=https://crowshistory.afc.com.au/our-history|website=Adelaide Football Club|access-date=9 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110194905/https://crowshistory.afc.com.au/our-history|archive-date=10 November 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Inaugural coach [[Graham Cornes]]<ref name=coaches>{{cite web|title=Past senior coaches|url=http://www.afc.com.au/the-club/history/past-crows-senior-coaches|website=Adelaide Football Club|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008015130/http://www.afc.com.au/the-club/history/past-crows-senior-coaches|archive-date=8 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and captain [[Chris McDermott]] led Adelaide to a respectable ninth place out of 15 in the league, with 10 wins and 12 losses and a [[Glossary of Australian rules football|percentage]] of 89.44.<ref name=ladders>{{cite web|title=Adelaide - Season Summary|url=http://afltables.com/afl/teams/adelaide/season.html|website=AFL Tables|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-date=11 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811223545/http://afltables.com/afl/teams/adelaide/season.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Adelaide's first AFL game was against {{AFL Haw}} on Friday 22 March at their then home ground, [[Football Park]]. The Crows defeated the eventual premiers by a hefty 86-point margin, winning 24.11 (155) to 9.15 (69).<ref name=firstgame>{{cite web|title=Adelaide's first game, 1991|url=http://www.afc.com.au/the-club/history/first-game-1991|website=Adelaide Football Club|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008132349/http://www.afc.com.au/the-club/history/first-game-1991|archive-date=8 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The club reached its first [[AFL finals series|finals series]] in the [[1993 AFL season]], eventually losing to [[Essendon FC|Essendon]] in the preliminary final.<ref name=ourhistory />

====Premiership glory in 1997 and 1998====
The year 1997 marked the entry of a second South Australian club, {{AFL PA}}. The Crows finished fourth to qualify for its first finals series since 1993, and hosted fifth-placed {{AFL WC}} in the First Elimination Final. In the first final ever to be played at [[Football Park]], the Crows won 14.15 (99) to 9.12 (66). The next week, Adelaide benefited from the [[McIntyre final eight system|finals system]] in use at the time and hosted the higher ranked {{AFL Gee}}, who had finished two places above the Crows but were forced to play away due to losing the previous week to {{AFL NM}}. The Crows won narrowly in a controversial match, where a clear forward 50 mark to Geelong's [[Leigh Colbert]] during a critical stage of the third quarter was not awarded by field umpire Grant Vernon, with the game concluding with the final scores as Adelaide 11.10 (76) to Geelong's 9.14 (68).<ref name=crowsvsgeelong1997>{{cite web|title=From the Archives, 1997: Persistent Crows down gallant Cats|date=17 March 2021 |access-date=10 January 2024|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/from-the-archives-1997-persistent-crows-down-gallant-cats-20210317-p57bjj.html|publisher=The Age|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110031631/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/from-the-archives-1997-persistent-crows-down-gallant-cats-20210317-p57bjj.html|archive-date=10 January 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> This set up an away Preliminary Final against the {{AFL WB}} at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground|MCG]]. Despite losing [[Coleman Medal]]list [[Tony Modra]], who had kicked 84 goals for the season, to an [[anterior cruciate ligament injury|ACL injury]] in the first quarter and trailing by 31 points at half time, the Crows kicked four unanswered goals in the last quarter to record a two-point victory, 12.21 (93) to 13.13 (91). [[Darren Jarman]] kicked a goal to put Adelaide in front with less than two minutes remaining, this qualified the Crows for their first AFL Grand Final, to be played against {{AFL StK}} at the MCG a week later.<ref name=crowsvsbulldogs1997>{{cite web|title=From the Archives, 1997: Dogs stumble as Crows soar into the decider|date=30 July 2021 |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/from-the-archives-1997-dogs-stumble-as-crows-soar-into-the-decider-20210730-p58eeq.html|access-date=10 January 2024|publisher=The Age|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714051718/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/from-the-archives-1997-dogs-stumble-as-crows-soar-into-the-decider-20210730-p58eeq.html|archive-date=14 July 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

St Kilda, chasing just their second premiership in VFL/AFL history, were warm favourites to win the [[1997 AFL Grand Final|Grand Final]], having come first in the minor round and won both of their finals by margins of 46 and 31 points, against an Adelaide side without Tony Modra, [[Mark Ricciuto]] and goalsneak [[Peter Vardy (footballer)|Peter Vardy]] due to injury. However, the Crows again overcame a half-time deficit, kicking 14 second-half goals to win by 31 points, 19.11 (125) to 13.16 (94). [[Darren Jarman]] kicked six goals, five of which came in the last quarter, whilst utility [[Shane Ellen]] kicked a career-best five and [[Troy Bond]] kicked four. [[Andrew McLeod]], who gathered 31 possessions across half-back and in the midfield, won the [[Norm Smith Medal]] for the best player on-field in the Grand Final. The win is arguably one of the finest moments in South Australian sporting history.

Few expected the Crows to successfully defend their premiership the following year. Adelaide often struggled in close matches during the [[1998 AFL season]]; seven of their nine losses were by 13 points or less, compared to only three wins by corresponding margins (they finished the regular season fifth on the ladder, with a record of 13–9). The Crows were well beaten by [[Melbourne Demons|Melbourne]] in the qualifying final at the [[MCG]] by 48 points, and at the time, looked far from a premiership threat. Since season 2000, a loss in the finals by a team outside the top four would result in instant elimination, but the Crows benefited from a quirk in the McIntyre finals system that was in use during the 90's and still progressed to the second week, drawn to play a semi final against the [[Sydney Swans]] at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground|SCG]]. The Crows bounced back from their disappointing first finals loss and recorded a comprehensive upset 27-point win against the Swans in the wet, which set up a Preliminary Final rematch against the Western Bulldogs. Despite going into the match as underdogs, the Crows played some of their best football of the year to soundly beat the Dogs by 68 points - 24.17 (161) to 13.15 (93). It was a complete contrast to the thriller that took place the previous year, with [[Matthew Robran]] kicking six goals and [[Andrew McLeod]], opposed to renowned tagger [[Tony Liberatore]], booting seven.

Like the previous year, Adelaide went into the [[1998 AFL Grand Final|Grand Final]] as underdogs, playing against {{AFL NM}}, who had won the premiership in 1996 and had won eleven consecutive matches leading up to the Grand Final. North Melbourne led by 24 points at half-time, 6.15 (51) to 4.3 (27), with only their inaccurate goalkicking keeping Adelaide in the contest. However, as they had in the previous year, Adelaide dominated the second half to win by 35 points, 15.15 (105) to 8.22 (70) - the result making Adelaide the only club during the decade of the 1990s to achieve the feat of winning back to back AFL premierships. [[Darren Jarman]] kicked five goals, while [[Andrew McLeod]] won his second successive Norm Smith Medal, an unprecedented feat. Club legend [[Mark Ricciuto]] won the Crows' Club Champion award in 1998. Following a disappointing year in [[1999 AFL season|1999]], premiership coach [[Malcolm Blight]] resigned from the role and the Crows entered the new [[millennium]] with two premierships under their belt.

===2000s: Finals and near misses===
The Crows next made the finals in [[2001 AFL season]], though they lost their opening three matches for the season. Adelaide played fifth-placed {{AFL Car}} at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground|MCG]] in the First Elimination Final and were roundly defeated, 17.16 (118) to 6.14 (50). High-profile forward [[Darren Jarman]] announced his retirement after the match. Adelaide's impressive [[2002 AFL season]] (in which they achieved a 15–7 win–loss record) came undone at the penultimate stage, losing to Collingwood in the Preliminary Final at the MCG. [[Ben Hart (Australian footballer)|Ben Hart]] won his second Malcolm Blight Medal in 2002, with [[Tyson Edwards]] finishing runner-up. [[Brett Burton]] led the Crows' goalkickers with 51. Hart and [[Mark Ricciuto]] were both named as All-Australians. Adelaide then exacted some revenge by defeating Collingwood in the [[2003 Wizard Home Loans Cup|pre-season competition]] in [[2003 AFL season|2003]], the club's first win in that competition. The Crows' impressive 2003 season was eventually halted by the {{AFL BL}} at [[the Gabba]] in the semi-finals. That season, Adelaide captain [[Mark Ricciuto]] became the first and (as of 2024) only Crow to win the [[Brownlow Medal]] for the best and fairest player in the AFL in a three-way tie with [[Adam Goodes]] and [[Nathan Buckley]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.droppunt.com/brownlow2003.htm |title=Brownlow Medal 2003 - 2003 Brownlow won by Nathan Buckley, Adam Goodes and Mark Ricciuto |publisher=Droppunt.com |access-date=18 August 2012 |archive-date=22 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722092339/http://www.droppunt.com/brownlow2003.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Crows returned to finals in [[2005 AFL season|2005]] and recorded a famous win in what remains the only [[Showdown (AFL)|Showdown]] match against rivals {{AFL PA}} in the semi-finals. They then lost once more at the penultimate stage (preliminary final), to the [[West Coast Eagles]] at [[Subiaco Oval]] by 16 points. This was repeated in [[2006 AFL season|2006]] when they again lost to West Coast in the preliminary final, this time at home and by an even smaller margin of 10 points.

Adelaide would qualify for finals for each of the remaining seasons in the 2000s, falling short at the elimination or semi-final on each occasion. [[Collingwood FC|Collingwood]] proved to be the biggest hurdle, knocking the Crows out of the finals race successively in [[2008 AFL season|2008]] and [[2009 AFL season|2009]]. [[Andrew McLeod]] and [[Bernie Vince]] won the club's best and fairest awards in that time.

'''Adelaide's [[AFL finals series|finals]] runs in the 2000s'''

{| class=wikitable
|-
!Year
!Lost in
!Opponent
!Margin of defeat
|-
|[[2001 AFL season|2001]]
| Elimination Final
| {{AFL Car}}
| 68 points
|-
|[[2002 AFL season|2002]]
| Preliminary Final
| {{AFL Col}}
| 28 points
|-
|[[2003 AFL season|2003]]
| Semi Final
| {{AFL BL}}
| 42 points
|-
|[[2005 AFL season|2005]]
| Preliminary Final
| {{AFL|WC}}
| 16 points
|-
|[[2006 AFL season|2006]]
| Preliminary Final
| {{AFL|WC}}
| 10 points
|-
|[[2007 AFL season|2007]]
| Elimination Final
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 3 points
|-
|[[2008 AFL season|2008]]
| Elimination Final
| {{AFL Col}}
| 31 points
|-
|[[2009 AFL season|2009]]
| Semi Final
| {{AFL Col}}
| 5 points
|}

===2010s: Rebuilding and tragedy===
The Crows had their biggest rebrand in the club's history on the eve of the [[2010 AFL season|2010 season]], shifting their logo to an entirely new design. Adelaide had a disastrous start to the 2010 season, losing their first six matches of the home and away season. They did recover to some extent in the back half of the year, finishing 11th with nine wins and thirteen losses, the first time under coach [[Neil Craig]] that the team did not make the finals. The season marked a turning point, with the likes of McLeod, [[Simon Goodwin]] and fellow stars [[Brett Burton]], [[Tyson Edwards]] and [[Trent Hentschel]] all announcing their retirements during the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tyson Edwards walks out on Crows|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/crows-tyson-edwards-hangs-up-boots/story-e6frf9jf-1225872192988|last1=Rucci|first1=Michelangelo|last2=AAP|date=27 May 2010|website=Herald Sun|access-date=28 April 2015|archive-date=11 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111004300/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes|url-status=live}}</ref> Long-term defender and club stalwart [[Nathan Bock]] announced he was leaving the club to join new side {{AFL GC}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/nathan-bock-admits-suns-offer/story-e6frf9jf-1225906104054|title=Nathan Bock confirms Gold Coast move|last=Capel|first=Andrew|date=26 August 2010|website=Herald Sun|access-date=28 April 2015|archive-date=13 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313123057/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/nathan-bock-admits-suns-offer/story-e6frf9jf-1225906104054|url-status=live}}</ref> These changes led to a disastrous [[2011 AFL season|2011 campaign]], which became the worst season in the club's history to that point. After a 103-point loss to fading champions {{AFL StK}}, the club's longest-serving coach [[Neil Craig]] stepped down, handing the reins to assistant coach and former premiership captain [[Mark Bickley]] as caretaker for the remainder of the season.<ref name="craig quits">{{cite news |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |title=Neil Craig quits as Adelaide Crows coach |url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/neil-craig-quits-as-adelaide-crows-coach-20110725-1hwmh.html |date=25 July 2011 |access-date=25 July 2011}}</ref>

Under Bickley the club won three of their next four games, but lost their final two to {{AFL Ric}} and {{AFL WC}}, finishing in 14th place with 7 wins and 15 losses. [[Scott Thompson (footballer born 1983)|Scott Thompson]] won the Malcolm Blight Medal (best and fairest award) for the season. New coach [[Brenton Sanderson]] began his era at the club with a pre-season premiership in [[2012 NAB Cup|2012]] and followed up that success with an above-expectations [[2012 AFL season|regular season]]; the Crows finishing 17-5 and never once losing consecutive matches. Adelaide eventually qualified to face [[minor premiers]] {{AFL Haw}} at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground|MCG]] in the First Preliminary Final. Hawthorn led for most of the match and despite Adelaide taking the lead with five minutes remaining, the Hawks responded to win the match by five points, in yet another heartbreaking finals series loss for the Crows. Adelaide would then fall down the ladder in the following [[2013 AFL season|2013]] and [[2014 AFL season|2014]] seasons, narrowly missing the top 8 on both occasions. Failing to reach the finals led to Sanderson being sacked at the end of the 2014 season. The club would move its home matches to the newly redeveloped [[Adelaide Oval]] at the start of the 2014 season, though to this day the Crows retain their training and administrative headquarters at their old home stadium, [[Football Park]].

====2012: Scandal and Investigation====
At the end of 2012, it was revealed that Adelaide had been found guilty of breaching the salary cap and tampering with the draft. As a sign of cooperation with the AFL, Adelaide forfeited themselves from the first two rounds of the [[2012 AFL Draft|2012 draft]].<ref>{{cite web|title='Pragmatic' Crows surrender draft picks|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-21/pragmatic-crows-surrender-early-picks/4384660|website=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017011756/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-21/pragmatic-crows-surrender-early-picks/4384660|archive-date=17 October 2017|date=21 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> At a hearing at AFL House in Melbourne, both the Adelaide Crows and current CEO at the time, Steven Trigg, were fined $300,000 and $50,000 respectively.<ref name="abcguilty">{{cite web|title=Tippett, Crows found guilty over salary cap breach|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-30/afl-ruling-kurt-tippett-adelaide-crows/4400256|date=30 November 2012|website=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014034629/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-30/afl-ruling-kurt-tippett-adelaide-crows/4400256|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Adelaide Football Club were also suspended from participating in the first two rounds of the [[2013 AFL Draft|2013 draft]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=Scott|last2=Fjeldstad|first2=Jesper|title=Adelaide Crows lose draft picks, fined $300,000 and Kurt Tippett receives 11-match suspension|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/crows-to-present-united-front-at-afl-commission/news-story/09af5490b4984450d9ebc7821239f983?sv=6c83906bb65318d3ba8bf8ffca769cf9|website=Adelaide Now|publisher=The Advertiser|access-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119214143/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/crows-to-present-united-front-at-afl-commission/news-story/09af5490b4984450d9ebc7821239f983?sv=6c83906bb65318d3ba8bf8ffca769cf9|archive-date=19 November 2018|date=30 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> It's widely accepted to be the league's biggest salary cap and list management scandal since [[Carlton Football Club salary cap breach|Carlton in 2002.]]<ref name="abcguilty" />

====2014: Death of Dean Bailey, transfer of SANFL licence====
In March 2014, over one week prior to the commencement of the new season, assistant coach [[Dean Bailey]] died following a short battle with lung cancer.<ref name=DeanBaileydeath>{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/former-melbourne-coach-and-adelaide-assistant-dean-bailey-dies-after-cancer-battle-aged-47/story-fni5f4l8-1226851178334 |title=Former Melbourne coach and Adelaide assistant Dean Bailey dies after cancer battle aged 47 |last1=Rucci |first1=Michelangelo |date=11 March 2011 |website=Herald Sun |publisher=News Ltd |access-date=11 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/former-melbourne-coach-dean-bailey-dies-20140311-hvha9.html|title=Former Melbourne coach Dean Bailey dies|date=11 March 2014|access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-11/dean-bailey-dies-after-cancer-battle/5312114|title=AFL mourns death of Dean Bailey after battle with lung cancer|newspaper=ABC News |date=11 March 2014|access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref>

On the eve of the new season, the [[South Australian Football Commission]] announced it had struck a deal with the Adelaide Football Club which required the [[SANFL]] to transfer its ownership of the Crows' licence to the club, in exchange for payments totalling $11.326&nbsp;million between 2013 and 2028. The arrangement marked the first time the Adelaide Football Club had independent control of its own administration and came in conjunction with measures designed to solidify the SANFL's control of game development and the sport in [[South Australia]].<ref name=sanfllicense>{{cite web|url=http://sanfl.com.au/sa-football-commission-and-afl-agree-to-transfer-of-crows-and-power-licences/|title=SA Football Commission and AFL agree to transfer of Crows and Power licences|work=sanfl.com.au|date=27 March 2014|access-date=30 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908065037/http://sanfl.com.au/sa-football-commission-and-afl-agree-to-transfer-of-crows-and-power-licences/|archive-date=8 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-27/crows2c-port-take-control-of-afl-licences/5349978|work=ABC News|date=27 March 2014|title=Adelaide Crows, Port Adelaide Power handed control of operations by SANFL|access-date=30 April 2017|archive-date=1 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101050118/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-27/crows2c-port-take-control-of-afl-licences/5349978|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2015: Death of Phil Walsh====
The 2015 season started incredibly successfully for the Adelaide Football Club with a 77-point win over reigning preliminary finalists {{AFL NM}}. Newly appointed coach [[Phil Walsh (Australian footballer)|Phil Walsh]] oversaw a rapidly improving team that became known for their skilled ball use and ability to grind out wins. During the season, Adelaide was cleared of any wrongdoing by the AFL in the [[Eddie Betts]] affair, which became newsworthy following an allegation that Betts's transfer to the Crows from {{AFL Car}} had been illegally signed and approved as much as 18 months prior to his move.<ref>{{cite web|title=AFL Statement: Crows cleared|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-05-28/afl-statement-eddie-betts|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=28 May 2015 |access-date=28 May 2015|archive-date=28 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528114701/http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-05-28/afl-statement-eddie-betts|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Phillip Walsh tribute Adelaide Oval.jpg|thumb|Fans gather at Adelaide Oval to pay tribute to [[Phil Walsh (Australian footballer)|Phil Walsh]].]]
Tragically, on 3 July, two days prior to Adelaide's then-scheduled round 14 match against {{AFL Gee}}, coach [[Phil Walsh (Australian footballer)|Phil Walsh]] was stabbed to death by his son at the age of 55 in his [[Somerton Park, South Australia|Somerton Park]] home.<ref name="walsh death">{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-03/phil-walsh-dead-after-domestic-dispute|title=Phil Walsh dead after domestic dispute|first=Harry|last=Thring|publisher=AAP|work=Australian Football League|date=3 July 2015|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=3 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703020250/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-03/phil-walsh-dead-after-domestic-dispute|url-status=live}}</ref> His son Cy Walsh would later be found not guilty of murder due to mental incompetence and placed under a lifetime psychiatric supervision licence, ordering that he be detained indefinitely in a secure psychiatric facility.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-28/cy-walsh-found-not-guilty-due-to-mental-incompetence/7884062 |first1=Candice |last1=Prosser |title=Cy Walsh not guilty of murdering Crows coach Phil Walsh due to mental incompetence|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=28 September 2016|access-date=22 March 2020|archive-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003193136/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-28/cy-walsh-found-not-guilty-due-to-mental-incompetence/7884062|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-20/cy-walsh-to-be-detained-in-secure-psychiatric-facility/8134088 |first1=Candice |last1=Prosser |title=Cy Walsh to be detained in secure psychiatric facility|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=20 December 2016|access-date=22 March 2020|archive-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001202513/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-20/cy-walsh-to-be-detained-in-secure-psychiatric-facility/8134088|url-status=live}}</ref> The tragedy was followed by an outpouring of sympathy and tributes from the club's fans and the wider AFL community.<ref>{{cite web|title=Distraught Crows fans declare #weflyasone with scarves and guernseys tribute|url=http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/07/03/09/58/distraught-players-and-fans-pay-tribute-to-afl-coach-phil-walsh|website=9News|date=3 July 2015|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=4 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704001929/http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/07/03/09/58/distraught-players-and-fans-pay-tribute-to-afl-coach-phil-walsh|url-status=live}}</ref> The match against the Cats was cancelled, with both teams receiving two premiership points each.<ref name="crows-cats-cancelled">{{cite web|url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/phil-walsh-murdered-afl-confirms-cancellation-of-adelaide-v-geelong-rest-of-round-14-to-go-ahead/story-fnjbnts5-1227426383344|title=Phil Walsh murdered: AFL confirms cancellation of Adelaide v Geelong, rest of Round 14 to go ahead|first=Jon|last=Ralph|publisher=Herald Sun|work=Geelong Advertiser|date=3 July 2015|access-date=2 July 2015|archive-date=3 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703150039/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/phil-walsh-murdered-afl-confirms-cancellation-of-adelaide-v-geelong-rest-of-round-14-to-go-ahead/story-fnjbnts5-1227426383344|url-status=dead }}</ref> Adelaide's [[Adelaide Football Club (SANFL)|SANFL team]]'s match against {{SANFL SthA}}, scheduled for the next day, was postponed until later in the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-07-03/no-games-for-crows|title=No games for Crows|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=3 July 2015|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033814/https://www.afc.com.au/news/438537/no-games-for-crows|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 6 July, assistant coach [[Scott Camporeale]] was appointed interim coach for the remainder of the season, while {{AFL WC}} premiership coach [[John Worsfold]] was hired as coaching director to support Camporeale.<ref name="camporeale interim">{{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-07-06/camporeale-to-coach-worsfold-joins-nest|title=Camporeale to coach, Worsfold joins nest|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=6 July 2015|access-date=6 July 2015|archive-date=7 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707003130/http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-07-06/camporeale-to-coach-worsfold-joins-nest|url-status=live}}</ref> Inspiringly, the team rebounded to win six of their next seven games and qualify for the [[2015 AFL finals series|2015 finals series]], where they defeated the [[Western Bulldogs]] by seven points in a thrilling elimination final at the MCG. Their season ended when they lost to eventual premiers {{AFL Haw}} the next week.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-18 |title=Hawthorn defeat Adelaide Crows in AFL semi-final – as it happened |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/live/2015/sep/18/hawthorn-v-adelaide-crows-afl-semi-final-live |access-date=2022-07-25 |first=Russell |last=Jackson |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

====2016–2019: Don Pyke era====
Star midfielder for many years [[Patrick Dangerfield]] left the club at the end of the 2015 season (a season in which he won the club's best and fairest) and [[Don Pyke]], a former premiership player and assistant coach with {{AFL WC}} who had also been an assistant coach at Adelaide from 2005 to 2006, was appointed Adelaide's senior coach for at least three years.<ref name="pyke coach">{{cite web|title=Pyke named new Crows coach|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-10-09/pyke-named-new-crows-coach|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=9 October 2015 |publisher=Adelaide Crows|access-date=9 October 2015|archive-date=11 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011204919/http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-10-09/pyke-named-new-crows-coach|url-status=live}}</ref> Adelaide was widely tipped to slide out of the finals in 2016<ref>{{cite web|title=Crystal ball: AFL.com.au's predictions for 2016|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-24/crystal-ball-predictions-for-2016|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League|access-date=8 June 2016|archive-date=17 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617201009/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-24/crystal-ball-predictions-for-2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Adelaide 2016 preview: Can the Crows cover loss of Patrick Dangerfield?|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/adelaide-2016-preview-can-the-crows-cover-loss-of-patrick-dangerfield/news-story/a68875ba330c9e8c89962cddc468c24b|website=FoxSports.com.au|publisher=Fox Sports|first1=Tom|last1=Morris|date=29 February 2016 |access-date=8 June 2016|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033812/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/adelaide-2016-preview-can-the-crows-cover-loss-of-patrick-dangerfield/news-story/a68875ba330c9e8c89962cddc468c24b|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Adelaide Crows: 2016 AFL season preview|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/02/02/adelaide-crows-2016-afl-season-preview/|website=TheRoar.com.au|publisher=The Roar|first1=Nick|last1=Croker|access-date=8 June 2016|archive-date=20 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420123441/http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/02/02/adelaide-crows-2016-afl-season-preview/|url-status=live}}</ref> but the Crows proved to be one of the successes of the season, comfortably qualifying for a home elimination final and defeating {{AFL NM}} by 62 points, before being eliminated the next week by eventual beaten grand finalists, {{AFL Syd}} in the semi-finals. The club had a dominant [[2017 Adelaide Football Club season|2017 season]], winning their opening six games and never falling below second place for the entire season. Adelaide claimed their second [[McClelland Trophy]] as minor premiers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/AFL/comments/6w555g/adelaide_are_the_2017_afl_minor_premiers/|title=Adelaide are the 2017 AFL Minor Premiers|date=30 August 2017|work=Reddit AFL|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033812/https://www.reddit.com/r/AFL/comments/6w555g/adelaide_are_the_2017_afl_minor_premiers/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Adelaide Crows entered the 2017 finals series as favourites for the premiership; they defeated {{AFL GWS}} and {{AFL Gee}} by 36 and 61 points respectively to qualify for the [[2017 AFL Grand Final|Grand Final]], their first since 1998, where they faced {{AFL Ric}}. Despite starting as rampaging hot favourites, the Crows lost the match by 48 points and finished runners-up for the first time in their history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/afl-2017-grand-final-adelaide-crows-versus-richmond-at-mcg/news-story/16529aecde4e830400fc479d775a0474|title=AFL 2017 Grand Final: Dejected Crows fans start long trip home|website=Adelaide Now|last1=Iannela|first1=Antimo|last2=Smith|first2=Matt|date=September 30, 2017|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033814/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/afl-2017-grand-final-adelaide-crows-versus-richmond-at-mcg/news-story/16529aecde4e830400fc479d775a0474?nk=53656f554646ba705d56f10781fb94dc-1630467494|url-status=live}}</ref>

The club struggled to replicate its 2017 form in [[2018 Adelaide Football Club season|the 2018 AFL season]]. Prior to the season, Adelaide players went on a controversial [[2018 Adelaide Crows pre-season camp|pre-season camp]] that led to a decline in morale among the club's players.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/inside-the-camp-that-brought-down-the-adelaide-crows-20200630-p557od.html|title=Inside the camp that brought down the Adelaide Crows|newspaper=The Age|last1=McClure|first1=Sam|date=July 4, 2020|access-date=July 4, 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916084949/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/inside-the-camp-that-brought-down-the-adelaide-crows-20200630-p557od.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Adelaide struggled with injuries during the year, including Captain [[Taylor Walker (footballer)|Taylor Walker]], [[Rory Sloane]], [[Brad Crouch]], [[Tom Lynch (Australian footballer, born 1990)|Tom Lynch]], [[Rory Laird]], and [[Richard Douglas (footballer)|Richard Douglas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/mid-season-report-card-injuries-cut-down-crows-20180612-p4zl09.html|title=Mid-season report card: Injuries cut down Crows|last=Gleeson|first=Michael|date=2018-06-12|website=The Age|language=en|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613031157/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/mid-season-report-card-injuries-cut-down-crows-20180612-p4zl09.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Combined with the loss of Cameron and Lever, the Crows struggled throughout the year but held on to win twelve games, including against 2017 Premiers {{AFL Ric}} and soon-to-be 2018 Premiers [[West Coast Eagles|West Coast]]. The club finished 12th on the ladder with 12 wins, 10 losses, and a percentage of 104.1, and below crosstown rivals Port Adelaide who finished 10th, but with 3.5 more percentage points. This put Adelaide out of the finals for the first time since 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/collective-mind-deflects-blame-for-the-adelaide-crows-poor-2018-season/news-story/1c3e62370ad41e7b6108fcb45a444b67|title=Collective Mind deflects blame for the Adelaide Crows' poor 2018 season|publisher=Fox Sports Australia|date=27 August 2018|access-date=28 August 2018|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033813/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/collective-mind-deflects-blame-for-the-adelaide-crows-poor-2018-season/news-story/1c3e62370ad41e7b6108fcb45a444b67|url-status=live}}</ref> One highlight towards the end of the year was Rory Sloane who, despite rumours of a trade home to Victoria, signed a five-year contract and went on to play out his time as a one-club player.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/rory-sloane-signs-a-new-fiveyear-deal-with-adelaide-until-the-end-of-2023/news-story/14131dc7b4ac77de561116d9af02e28b|title=Rory Sloane signs new contract with Adelaide {{!}} AFL Trade and Free Agency|date=2018-07-11|website=Fox Sports|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033831/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/rory-sloane-signs-a-new-fiveyear-deal-with-adelaide-until-the-end-of-2023/news-story/14131dc7b4ac77de561116d9af02e28b|url-status=live}}</ref>

There were lofty aspirations going into 2019, with many expecting them to play finals or even in the premiership.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/03/20/2019-afl-season-preview-adelaide-crows/|title=Why Adelaide will go straight back to the top in 2019|website=The Roar|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=20 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320121330/https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/03/20/2019-afl-season-preview-adelaide-crows/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/2019-03-19/match-preview-adelaide-v-hawthorn|title=Match preview: Adelaide v Hawthorn|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=19 March 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401171856/https://www.afc.com.au/news/2019-03-19/match-preview-adelaide-v-hawthorn|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite fewer injuries, the club failed to meet these lofty expectations of finals, finishing 11th with 10 wins, 12 losses, and 100.9 percentage points. There was much media coverage given to the team throughout the season, with concerns raised about player retention and the coaching staff, especially with players like [[Bryce Gibbs (Australian rules footballer)|Bryce Gibbs]], [[Josh Jenkins]], and [[Eddie Betts]] dropped on and off throughout the season due to issues of form.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/adelaide-key-forward-josh-jenkins-says-he-wants-to-stay-at-the-crows-despite-tough-2019/news-story/bf537ea489c2659422472b9d4e3d1733|title=Josh Jenkins, Josh Jenkins dropped, Adelaide Crows 2019, Adelaide v Collingwood, AFL trade whispers|date=2019-08-15|website=Fox Sports|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033813/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/adelaide-key-forward-josh-jenkins-says-he-wants-to-stay-at-the-crows-despite-tough-2019/news-story/bf537ea489c2659422472b9d4e3d1733|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the end of their season, the club began an external review of their football operations, with many musing about the future of players and coaching staff.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2019-one-survey-question-has-adelaide-players-fearing-club-could-move-on-coach-don-pyke/news-story/06b073eda4a80dae513fe7573c1b8b43|title=AFL 2019: Fears Don Pyke could be sacked, Adelaide Crows external review, survey question|date=2019-09-02|website=Fox Sports|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033814/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2019-one-survey-question-has-adelaide-players-fearing-club-could-move-on-coach-don-pyke/news-story/06b073eda4a80dae513fe7573c1b8b43|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to the conclusion of the review, co-captain Taylor Walker resigned his captaincy after four years to focus on his football and family.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-09-04/skipper-no-more-tex-stands-down-as-crows-captain|title=Skipper no more: Tex stands down as Crows captain|website=afl.com.au|date=4 September 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033818/https://www.afl.com.au/news/122414/skipper-no-more-tex-stands-down-as-crows-captain|url-status=live}}</ref> A week later, Coach Don Pyke stepped down, a decision unrelated to the reviews that were occurring.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/2019-09-12/pyke-to-step-down-as-senior-coach|title=Don Pyke to step down as Senior Coach|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=12 September 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=13 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913020120/https://www.afc.com.au/news/2019-09-12/pyke-to-step-down-as-senior-coach|url-status=live}}</ref>

=====2018 Adelaide Crows pre-season camp=====

{{Main|2018 Adelaide Crows pre-season camp}}

The 2018 Adelaide Crows pre-season camp was a summer camp undertaken by players of the Adelaide Football Club from 29 January to 2 February in the lead-up to the 2018 AFL season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/adelaide-director-hopes-betts-is-moving-on-from-camp-experience-20220803-p5b6tc.html|title=Ex-players shocked by Betts' experience, AFLPA believes players were 'pressured' to stay silent |date=3 August 2022 |publisher=The Age|access-date=3 August 2022}}</ref>
In Eddie Betts' biography, he released details of what happened at the camp. These revelations caused many to question what had been said to that point regarding the camp.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-03/eddie-betts-new-book-details-controversial-crows-camp/101295408|title=Adelaide Crows apologise to former AFL star Eddie Betts following new book airing claims about preseason training camp |newspaper=ABC News |date=3 August 2022 |access-date=3 August 2022}}</ref>
Following the release of Eddie Betts biography, [[Josh Jenkins]] released a statement with further details from the camp. His opposition to aspects of the camp led to him being ostracised and was the reason he left the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-05/josh-jenkins-speaks-out-about-adelaide-crows-camp/101306228 |title=Former Adelaide Crow Josh Jenkins speaks out about controversial camp days after Eddie Betts's book release |publisher=ABC|access-date=3 August 2022}}</ref>

===2020–present: Matthew Nicks era===
====2020–2021: COVID-affected seasons====
Former Port Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney assistant coach [[Matthew Nicks]] was appointed as Adelaide's senior coach on 15 October 2019, replacing the outgoing Pyke. Under new coach Nicks, the Crows lost the first 13 matches of the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus-affected]] [[2020 AFL season]] and ultimately claimed their first wooden spoon in club history. However, the Crows' disastrous season did end with some optimism, as the Crows broke the drought in round 15 against {{AFL Haw}} and won three matches in a row towards the season's conclusion. The Crows received their highest-ever draft pick at the [[2020 AFL draft]], used to draft [[Riley Thilthorpe]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/842086/pick-2-riley-thilthorpe | title=Pick 2: Riley Thilthorpe | date=9 December 2020 }}</ref>

The Crows won their first game of the [[2021 AFL season]], beating the reigning Grand Finalists [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] in an upset victory. The Crows improved slightly over their disastrous 2020 campaign, losing only one of their first four games.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.zerohanger.com/afl/2021-afl-ladder/ | title=2021 AFL Ladder | date=16 August 2023 }}</ref>  Walker was banned from the AFL for six games between the 2021 and [[2022 AFL season]]s due to racist comments directed towards [[Robbie Young (Australian footballer)|Robbie Young]] of {{SANFL NA}} during a [[South Australian Football League|SANFL]] match.<ref>{{cite web|website=ABC News|date=6 August 2021|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-06/adelaide-crows-taylor-walker-banned-by-afl-for-six-games/100355276|title=Adelaide Crows forward Taylor Walker suspended by AFL for six matches over racist comment|first1=Daniel|last1=Keane|first2=Matthew|last2=Smith|language=en}}</ref> After requesting a move home to South Australia and subsequently nominating the Crows, high-value [[Sydney Swans|Sydney]] wingman [[Jordan Dawson]] was traded to Adelaide in the [[2021 AFL draft|2021 trade period]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1025111/swans-finalise-trade-deal-for-jordan-dawson | title=Swans finalise trade deal for Jordan Dawson | date=13 October 2021 }}</ref> The trade would prove influential in Adelaide's rise out of the bottom four in 2022.

====2022–present: Post-COVID era====
[[File:Matthew Nicks, Ade vs. GWS 2022 (52396645580) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Matthew Nicks]] coaching in [[2022 AFL season|2022]].]]
The Crows hosted the first-ever Friday night [[Showdown (AFL)|Showdown]] in Round 3, and claimed one of their best-ever wins via an after-the-siren bending kick from the recruit Dawson, who received best-on-ground honours.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1092152/showdown-medal-voting | title=Showdown Medal voting | date=April 2022 }}</ref> Captain [[Rory Sloane]] ruptured his [[anterior cruciate ligament|ACL]] in round 5.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1105707/injury-update-rory-sloane | title=Injury Update: Rory Sloane | date=17 April 2022 }}</ref> In his absence, the role of captain rotated between [[Reilly O'Brien]], [[Ben Keays]], [[Brodie Smith (footballer)|Brodie Smith]], and [[Tom Doedee]] for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1107519/crows-to-share-captaincy#:~:text=Adelaide's%20senior%20leadership%20group%20will,the%20Western%20Bulldogs%20this%20weekend | title=Crows to share captaincy | date=20 April 2022 }}</ref> Adelaide traded in [[Izak Rankine]] at a high price, leaving them no first-round draft picks in the [[2022 AFL draft]] until they matched the bid for [[Max Michalanney]], son of [[Jim Michalanney|Jim]] as the club's first [[father–son rule|father–son]] pick.<ref>{{cite web|title=Crows' draft historic father–son pick|url=https://indaily.com.au/news/2022/11/29/crows-draft-historic-father-son-pick/|website=InDaily|date=November 29, 2022}}</ref>

The Crows headlined the first-ever [[Gather Round]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Inside Gather Round: A Festival of Footy|url=https://www.afl.com.au/gather-round|access-date=28 August 2023|website=AFL.com.au}}</ref> as they had a return to form, defeating multiple top-eight teams. Some controversial finishes, including one in round 23 against {{AFL Syd}}, when a [[Ben Keays]] goal was mistakenly disallowed, cost the Crows their first [[AFL finals series]] in seven years.<ref>{{cite web|first=Riley|last=Beveridge|title=Meet ARC: AFL's new review hub gets 'extreme' makeover for finals|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/37686/meet-arc-afls-new-review-hub-gets-extreme-makeover-for-finals|website=AFL.com.au|date=3 September 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Peter|last1=Ryan|first2=Andrew|last2=Wu|first3=Roy|last3=Ward|title='Inexplicable': McLachlan admits goal umpiring blunder but defends review system|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/worst-nightmare-possible-afl-umpire-error-might-have-cost-crows-a-finals-spot-20230819-p5dxvm.html|website=theage.com|publisher=[[The Age]]|date=20 August 2023}}</ref> Adelaide finished 2023 in 10th on the ladder, their best position since [[2017 AFL season|2017]], in part due to the leadership of their new captain [[Jordan Dawson]]. Despite high expectations,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/01/25/josh-jenkins-extended-2024-ladder-prediction-6-to-1/|website=sen.com.au|publisher=[[SEN 1116]]|title=Josh Jenkins' extended 2024 ladder prediction - 6 to 1|first=Josh|last=Jenkins|date=25 January 2024}}</ref> [[2024 Adelaide Football Club season|2024]] was another disappointing year for the club,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1100509/well-never-give-up-matthew-nicks-remains-bullish-on-winless-adelaide-crows|title='We'll never give up': Nicks remains bullish on winless Crows|first=Riley|last=Beveridge|website=afl.com.au|date=4 April 2024|location=[[Adelaide Oval]]}}</ref> with a lack of on-field performance resulting in questions being raised around Nicks' coaching,<ref>{{cite web|title='Career on a knife's edge': Coach in strife as Crows higher-ups 'must ask themselves the question'|publisher=[[Fox Footy]]|date=12 June 2024|first=Will|last=Faulkner|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/career-on-a-knifes-edge-coach-in-strife-as-crows-higherups-must-ask-themselves-the-question/news-story/5c5f853a0c3c0f41192d9ce4a8f98f6f}}</ref> particularly amid the choice to drop young forward [[Josh Rachele]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/adelaide-crows/afl-2024-matthew-nicks-reveals-why-josh-rachele-was-dropped-team-selection-for-adelaide-game-against-sydney-latest-news/news-story/61c2a0c175c7bd7be6ca0acd5fc6a34e|first=Ben|last=Cotton|publisher=[[Fox Footy]]|title='I'll always have Josh's back': Nicks opens up on Rachele's surprise axing|date=23 August 2024|access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref>