Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley has laid down the challenge to the Adelaide Crows – do you want to be “winners or ‘almosts’” in season 2024?
The Crows trailed by as much as 36 points early in the fourth term in their round one encounter with the Suns and were left rueing yet another slow start.
Matthew Nicks’ troops kicked just one goal in the opening half, while the Suns were able to muster five of their own in wet, slippery conditions.
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“I didn’t like Adelaide’s result, let alone their effort,” said Buckley on Fox Footy’s On The Couch.
“Yes, they played against a motivated opponent, the weather was average, it was an away game, they were missing some key personnel, but their fourth quarter effort compared to their first three quarters was chalk and cheese.
“Too often, it’s been pretty close, great effort.”
The Crows were without their two key forwards in veteran Taylor Walker and youngster Riley Thilthorpe, but Buckley believes that that is no excuse for their poor round one outing.
“I don’t think it’s about Walker or (Riley) Thilthorpe or anyone that’s not there, there’s plenty of teams in the competition that don’t have their best 23 on the park.
“I’d be really interested to sit in Adelaide’s review. I think it’s a moment where the coach and the leaders say, ‘that’s enough’.
“I don’t think they’re making excuses, but if you want to be an ‘almost’ team then continue down the path that you’ve been down for a whole year last year.”
The Crows narrowly missed out on a finals campaign last season, finishing with eleven wins and a healthy percentage of 116.8%, but were brave in defeat in a number of narrow losses throughout that campaign.
“These young players I think have natural growth within them, but they have to decide if they want to be winners or if they want to be ‘almosts’,” Buckley said.
“I think they’re better than that, their top end is so much better than that.”
Ex-Melbourne star Garry Lyon echoed Buckley’s sentiments, saying “on Friday night, no excuses.”
The Crows will get the opportunity to get back on the winner’s list when they host the Cats on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.
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