After their season ended in controversial circumstances, the Adelaide Crows, put simply, didn’t cry over spilt milk, according to skipper Jordan Dawson.
Ben Keays’ contentious denied goal late in Adelaide’s one-point loss to the Swans in Round 23 effectively cost Matthew Nicks’ side a finals berth in a bitter ending to its campaign.
Many thought the Crows were robbed. In fact, the AFL even later confirmed it was the wrong decision by the goal umpire, who at the time deemed Keays’ shot grazed the post.
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It was all the more costly given the eight-point ladder swing against fellow finals contender Sydney. For had the result gone the other way, Adelaide would’ve instead taken that last spot in the top eight and played finals for the first time since 2017.
Sometimes, it’s a literal game of inches.
But speaking to foxfooty.com.au at the AFL Captains Day this week, Dawson said the Crows quickly moved on from the gruelling loss as they look to bounce back in 2024.
“As a group, we acknowledged it happened and quickly put it in the rear vision mirror. We decided we wouldn’t let it linger over the off-season, but use what we could as motivation to drive us,” the Crows skipper said.
“Fortunately, we’ve got a very hard working, strong group and we’re well connected. We got to work straight away, we were getting sessions of 20 or 30 guys in Adelaide. Straight from that moment I knew we’d put it in the rear vision mirror.
“Yes, it was disappointing, but we also had a lot of opportunities throughout the year to win those close games we didn’t quite pull off.
“It does seem like it was one moment, but there was definitely plenty of moments throughout the year where we needed to be better.
“You get what you deserve in this game and we’re going to be bigger and better for it.”
It came in an otherwise mighty promising season for the Crows in Nicks’ fourth third year at the helm, where they looked every bit made for finals.
As Dawson alluded to, it included narrow losses by one and two points respectively against eventual premiers Collingwood in the clubs’ two meetings to show Adelaide could very much match it with the benchmark of the competition.
Had Adelaide made it to finals, it would’ve been a real danger team no one wanted to play.
And Dawson, 26, played a major part in the club’s rise in a career-best season.
The 191cm, big-bodied gun’s early-season move to an inside midfield role paid massive dividends for both the player and club.
The former Swan emerged as genuine superstar of the game – claiming maiden All-Australian and best and fairest honours – while it gave Nicks’ engine room a much-needed large frame to compete against other like types in the AFL.
“It was probably something we spoke about a couple of years ago when I first moved back to Adelaide and wanted to play a bit more midfield. I’d chopped and changed from the wing and half back,” Dawson said of his permanent on-ball move.
“When we lost a few games early last year, the coaches and myself had a conversation around where we were losing those games and how I could help with that.
“We kind of created a role for me and I was able to learn new things as a midfielder and develop my game.”
Dawson’s emergence as a star midfielder went hand-in-hand with him taking over the captaincy at West Lakes in something of a surprise call, at least those externally from the club, ahead of last season.
However 12 months on, it’s a decision that’s been validated and then some, with Dawson leading the way superbly for these budding Crows.
“(Becoming captain) was probably a bit unexpected at the time, but I feel like I’ve really relished the opportunity and the extra responsibility,” he added.
“Being able to lead the group is something I’ve really enjoyed.
“I’m glad it’s been able to translate on field and as a group we’ve grown. I’m really excited about what this year as in store for us.
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