Adelaide recorded a hard-fought 13-point win against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

The Crows overcame a 28-point deficit mid-way through the second quarter, to prevail 13.12 (90) to 11.11 (77).

Adelaide’s victory, however, came at a cost, with forward Josh Rachele injuring his knee.

Crows Senior Coach spoke to the media post-match, delivering these five takeaways.

Rachele to be sent for scans

Adelaide forward Josh Rachele went down with a knee injury, after landing awkwardly in a marking contest against Jake Bowey late in the second quarter.

The 22-year-old was subbed out of the match as a result, and is awaiting scans to determine the extent of the injury.

Nicks said it was unfortunate for the star forward, who had been in strong form this season.

He said the Club would not speculate on the injury, with the knee set to be scanned.

“It’s one that we are really mindful of making any big statements around because we don’t know,” Nicks said.

“We won’t know until he has scans, but he’ll definitely go in for a scan.

“It was enough of a concern that we had to sub him out and without going into anymore details, it’s going to need a scan and our fingers are crossed.

“He’d be pretty disappointed, as you could imagine, but we’ll hope for the best and think positive thoughts.”

Crows’ toughness impresses coach

The game was a tale of two halves, with Melbourne controlling much of the first, before Adelaide flipped the switch to get the result.

Nicks said the players’ ability to not only turn the momentum their way, but hold onto it and get the win required “toughness” and that impressed him the most.

“If you looked at the 10-minute mark of the second quarter and anyone who was watching the game was saying ‘well this is over’,” Nicks said.

“Melbourne had been outstanding to that point, they owned the game, they had momentum, it was the first time this year that we had multiple goals kicked on us.

“If they had kicked straight in the first, we would’ve been in a lot more trouble.

“But we felt like the toughness our players showed in that second quarter, at that 10-minute mark, to turn it around, we made a few adjustments and our guys executed it on-field.”

Rankine shines in NAIDOC Week celebration

Adelaide star and proud Ngarrindjeri man Izak Rankine starred up-forward for the hosts, finishing the game with an equal career-high five goals.

Donning the Crows’ 2025 First Nations Guernsey to signify the start of NAIDOC Week, the crafty forward/midfielder was his side’s anchor inside-50, particularly when the game wasn’t going Adelaide’s way.

Rankine spent more time in the forward line than in the midfield against the Demons, with Nicks saying it is always a balancing act with where to position the versatile goalsneak.

“He was finishing off his work (in the first half)… and we needed that, we needed something just to keep us in it,” Nicks said.

“Without going to an individual, I think we were lucky Izak was out there in the first half just to finish off the opportunities he got.

“It kept us in touch, and gave us a chance in that second half.

“In the context of the season that’s a huge win for us, with where this season sits, the amount of sides fighting for the top eight, you just have to win these games, especially at home.”

Coaches and players adapt and execute

When the game wasn’t going the Crows’ way, both players and the coaching cohort were forced to change things up.

The coaches, according to Nicks, put a plan in place and gave the players clear instructions to help switch the momentum in their favour.

Nicks also credited the players for executing the plans so well.

“When we got a half-time break, to watch our coaches go to work in that break and provide the clarity for our group on what it was we needed to fix was really pleasing,” Nicks said.

“It’s one thing to know what you’re not quite getting right, or where your opposition is beating you, and another thing to be able to adjust it and change it.

“We talk as coaches all the time, our players win games of footy, and they’re out there doing it on the day, but today was one of those ones where you’ve got to get it right for them at the break and be able to explain it and I thought our guys did a fantastic job.

“(Our) line coaches, (Coaching Director) Murray Davis has come in and helped us out, we were able to sit down and talk through the game and our players then went out and executed.”

Focused on staying in the moment

The Crows have stuck to a mantra this season of “staying in the moment” and have refused to look too far ahead.

Nicks said that had helped the side immensely this year and praised his players for sticking to the task, despite some outside noise.

“The reality is the season is into the season half, we know that as a playing group,” Nicks said.

“But they’ve done a really good job of staying in the moment.

“When we break it down, it wasn’t going the way we needed it to (in the first half) and our guys were able to reset in that moment of half-time and move on from what had been a really poor half.

“It’s just a version of what we are doing this season - resetting every time we play a game, lock them back in on it’s zero-zero, let’s go again and get the job done.”

Adelaide will now turn its attention to its Round 18 game against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, July 12, at 12.50pm (ACST).