Adelaide began the second half of its 2026 season with a thrilling one-point win against Geelong at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

A tight-affair from start-to-finish, the Crows held off a fast-finishing Cats outfit to record their seventh win of the season, and push up into sixth spot on the ladder. 

Senior Coach Matthew Nicks spoke to the media post-game and delivered five key takeaways. 

Skipper stands tall

Adelaide Captain Jordan Dawson willed his team over the line with an inspirational performance against the Cats. 

Spending time all over the ground, Dawson was influential from start-to-finish, as he recorded 22 disposals, nine tackles, seven marks and three crucial goals. 

Nicks spoke about the Skipper’s influence and how he spearheaded a famous Crows victory. 

“He’s a warrior, he’s not the only one, but he incredibly just kept going all night,” Nicks said.

“We had a brief chat at three-quarter-time and I talked about it being best that he went forward, and he said give me five minutes on-ball and he’ll change the game, and he did.

“It’s probably a performance that doesn’t surprise us, that’s why he’s our Captain because he finds a way.

“You need certain players like that in certain spots in games like that tonight, and he stood up for us.”

Crows breakthrough against quality opponent

Adelaide’s win on Thursday night was its first against a top eight side in 2026, after narrowly falling short on a number of occasions in the early parts of the campaign.

Nicks said the result was one his players deserved and could take great confidence out of leading into the back half of the season.

“We’re all going to want to talk about results, and it’s obviously nice to finish on this side, we’ve played so many games against them that have been tight,” Nicks said. 

“So to get one is really pleasing and a great result for the group, Geelong are a great side and have been for years. 

“But for me it was more about the way we did it, deep down I just know how good we are and it’s hard to talk about that at times, but I will today. 

“The boys executed under immense pressure, I’m incredibly proud of the way they went about it and they deserved the result.” 

Mid-season recruit provides a spark

Just nine days after being drafted by the Crows, mid-season recruit Hugo Hall-Kahan made his AFL debut and impressed in a tense game of Thursday night footy. 

Taking his place across half-back, the dashing defender did not look out of place as he racked up 16 disposals at 75 per cent efficiency, and was a key part in Adelaide’s ball movement. 

Nicks sung the praises of the 22-year-old, as well as the coaching staff, for making the decision to hand him a debut just days after arriving at the Club.

“He was great wasn’t he? Credit where it’s due with our coaching group, for them to see what they saw and have no fear in making the decision to play a young lad who doesn’t know our game plan,” Nicks said.

“But we knew there was something in his game that would complement us, and even looking at the game and how it played out in the rain, he had some weapons and was just outstanding. 

“He had some real key moments, he was so calm in the ball, it was all the stuff we had seen him do in the VFL and we had no doubt he was a player and will be a player that just needed the opportunity.

“So I’m just so glad our coaching group pushed it, drove it and wanted to go there - it was just a brave decision that I’m very glad came off.” 

Walker important in return

Veteran forward Taylor Walker returned to the line-up on Thursday night and came up clutch in some crucial moments. 

Around the goals, Walker made the most of his opportunities by booting two critical majors. 

But it was in the final minutes where his experience really rose to the fore, as Nicks explained how he helped influence Adelaide’s ability to hold on for a memorable victory.

“It’s not so much just about the footy, but it’s the leadership and if you think about the last three minutes, he’s a big part of why we got that right,” Nicks said.

“We get enough feedback from our players about how well he leads on field, what structures we need to be in and where our focus needs to be when we’re a couple of points up and Geelong is going to come at us. 

“It’s more than just what Tex does with the ball in his hand, there’s some strong stuff he keeps bringing.” 

Yet another close finish 

Adelaide’s one-point win against Geelong was its seventh result decided by under two goals from its first 12 matches of the season.

In those clashes, the Crows have emerged victorious on three occasions, and on Thursday night they were able to square the season-ledger against the Cats, who beat them by nine points at GMHBA Stadium in Round Three.

“This is why we love sport, right? I aged five years in the box, and I’m sure a lot of our supporters did as well,” Nicks said.

“It was heart-in-mouth type stuff towards the end there, we love the direction we’re heading in and what we’re building here, it’s not always going to be perfect but it is always nice to get one of these close wins against a good opposition.

“It just gives you some belief in where we’re heading.”