Taylor Walker return alone won't fix Crows: Nicks

The Crows looking fed up after being out-hustled by the Gold Coast Suns. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Of course, Taylor Walker's absence hurt Adelaide, but coach Matthew Nicks wants to see changes elsewhere after the Crows were out-hustled in a six-point loss to Gold Coast to begin their AFL season.

The Crows managed just one first-half goal and had three to begin the final term before the floodgates opened in a 8.12 (60) to 8.6 (54) loss to the Suns at Carrara.

The Suns led by 36 but conceded the last five, the Crows with two genuine chances to mark inside 50 inside the final minute and kick a goal to tie the game.

Taylor Walker
Taylor Walker's return is badly needed for the Crows.

Earlier, it was all Gold Coast though, the Suns' midfield of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell on top and their defence and second-efforts stifling last year's most productive offence.

"It was two things. It was probably their work-rate, their ability to get back – they're as good as I've seen for a while in that space," Nicks said of the Suns.

"They work so hard.

"We adjusted a couple of things which we weren't quite getting right in the first half and it changed the game, but we've got to be better than that.

"We've got to find a way to get back in and even the numbers so we can compete ahead of the ball."

Walker, who has a back injury, is likely to play on Friday at Adelaide Oval against Geelong.

"Did we miss Taylor Walker? Of course any team is going to miss Taylor Walker. He's one of those players," Nicks said.

"But there were other areas we didn't get right and our opposition did."

Nicks pushed former Sun Izak Rankine forward in the second half and the shake-up paved the way for the Crows' resurgence.

"I thought Izak showed what Izak can do," the coach said.

"Early it was our opposition that stopped that free-flowing and then the conditions changed which made it hard to shift the ball.

"We were forced to play a contest style and we didn't get that right in the first half.

"We definitely got it right in the second half and it showed we can score quickly no matter what the conditions.

"We'll take some positives out of that, that we can score different ways."

Jordan Butts finished with a foot or ankle complaint while Luke Pedlar played on with a broken nose.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store