Adelaide returns to scene of finals flop to face biggest test of growth
A year removed from one of the most disappointing finals campaigns by a minor premier, Adelaide returns to see just how far it has come.
Adelaide returns to the site of its recent finals disappointment as it faces its most significant challenge yet to improve. Coach Matthew Nicks will join Alec Hall as one of only two coaches to guide their teams through finals without a victory. Adelaide has won the most regular season games over the past two years, but their 2025 season ended abruptly with a loss to the Bulldogs.
The coach attributes their struggles to the pressure of elite opposition, particularly in stoppages and general play. Despite their defensive strength, Adelaide has struggled to transition the ball and create scoring opportunities when it matters most. They are now experimenting with different looks up the ground to address this weakness, with star player Izak Rankine recently joining the team.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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