Adelaide battled hard to cut down a match-high 32-point lead in their Round Four clash against Geelong at Unley Oval on Saturday but ultimately went down by 11 points.

Back-to-back goals to Grace Kelly and a second to India Rasheed late in the final quarter gave the Crows a sniff but time ran out in the end.

Senior Coach Ryan Davis touched on the following post-game.

Subtle magnet moves to help shift the dial

The Crows were facing a 32-point deficit early in the last quarter when Davis decided to switch things up a little.

Vice Captain Eloise Jones, who had lined up in defence this season, returned to the forward line, recruit Grace Egan was deployed into the middle and Sarah Goodwin went into the backline.

The trio of moves proved pivotal in helping the Crows peg back the lead, before ultimately running out of time.

Despite the fast-finishing efforts, Davis said his side’s inability to match the Cats’ pressure was costly.

“There were few contested moments where our players really stood up, a bit more of a mindset thing, and then we got some real good territory going forward,” Davis said.

“Their pressure was outstanding, so we played a little bit more direct. Eloise Jones went forward, Grace Egan went to the midfield, and she provided a hell of a lot.

 “Then also Sarah Goodwin went back, and she gave some real bounce out of the back half. 

“We made a few adjustments, but I think it was just the appetite that really cost us in the end.”

Eloise Jones’ versatility

Two-time Premiership Crow Eloise Jones’ versatility was on show against Geelong and Davis heaped plenty of praise on his Vice Captain.

Having played most of her career as a forward, Jones was shifted into defence to start this season.

Needing a spark, however, Davis sent Jones ahead of the ball and she did everything the coach asked of her.

“She’s a really good asset wherever we put her on the field,” Davis said.

“Certainly, the bounce and protection and IQ and ball movement she gives us in the back half is fantastic.

“And then, obviously, you saw the first centre clearance for that fourth quarter. She takes a mark and then laces out India Rasheed, so we could definitely use three or four of her.”

Development of second-year Crow India Rasheed

Youngster India Rasheed missed the first two matches of the campaign due to an interrupted pre-season, but since returning in Round Three has shown plenty of promise.

Against Geelong, Rasheed was the Crows’ equal leading goal kicker booting two, and finished with four score involvements and five marks.

“India took some really good strong contestant marks, she's a very smart footballer, she directs her teammates really well,” Davis said.

“She's the first one to give compliments in the changerooms and on the bench, she’s a fantastic player, and yeah, she's getting better each week.”

Davis on 100-gamer Sarah Allan

Sarah Allan notched her 100th game against Geelong on Saturday, while Caitlin Gould and Niamh Kelly brought up their 75th League games.

Davis said it was disappointing not to get the win for the trio.

“It is disappointing not to salute for our milestone girls,” Davis said.

“Sarah's a stalwart of this football club, she's an absolute rock, she doesn't care about accolades or stats or anything, she just wants to play her role and be the best teammate she possibly can.

“That shows in the love and support that turned out today, she's a fantastic leader, she's a fantastic football player, and she's a fantastic person.”

Davis was, however, proud of the team’s fightback in that final term.

“They're (Geelong) a fantastic outfit, we matched it with them in the first quarter, but then it got a little bit away from us in that second, and we spent a lot of energy trying to wrestle that back in the third,” Davis said.

“But I was really proud of the group the way they ticked into the fourth and got a hell of a lot of good scores going our way, but we just left ourselves too much to do.”

Searching for consistency

The result has left the Crows with a 2-3 win-loss record, their two victories recorded in Rounds Three and Four against West Coast and Hawthorn, respectively.

Davis was confident his team would bounce back but said consistency would be the key moving forward.

“I think we've shown that our best is very, very good,” Davis said.

“It's just being able to squeeze the bottom to the top and make a real consistent, four-quarter effort.

“I think what our fans can see is a really fast, exciting brand of football, it's just going to be about maintaining that.”

Adelaide will now turn its attention to its clash against reigning grand finalist Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena next Sunday at 4.35pm (ACST).