3 minute read

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks says the Crows need to get the basics right before they can think about snapping their club-record 12-game AFL losing streak.

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has gone back to basics after his winless AFL team's season reached a new low against North Melbourne.

A nightmare 2020 took another horror turn last Saturday with Adelaide losing to the Kangaroos who entered the clash just one spot above the bottom-of-the-ladder Crows, by 69 points.

As Adelaide trailed by 34 points at halftime, a deflated Nicks was captured demonstrating to his players in an unique way for professional sport.

"We just slid a few bottles around, and a few bananas and we just used those as players," Nicks said on Monday.

"It was just a demonstration that if we can't get the basics right, then you're going to struggle to compete at this level.

"Unfortunately the damage had been done up until halftime and we couldn't turn it around."

On a club-record 12-game losing run that shows no signs of ending, Nicks said the Crows owed it to their fans to offer up more in Wednesday night's game against Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval.

"The disappointment after a performance like that (against North) is a tough one to swallow. We fell down a number of steps," he said.

"We're working on a putting out a show for our supporters that they can be proud of watching. We didn't do that on the weekend.

"It didn't look like us at all. What it looked like was 18 individuals trying hard but doing it on their own."

Nicks is pleased with the development of Adelaide's younger brigade but said they needed more support.

"We're not going to put 18 young kids out there with no experience and expect them to show experience. It's just stupid to do that," he said.

Veteran forward Taylor Walker is a chance to return against the Demons after missing the weekend trip to the Gold Coast with a bout of gastro.