A slow start proved costly for Adelaide in its Round Seven clash at Unley Oval, as it fell to Fremantle by 25 points. 

The Crows were jumped by a well-drilled Dockers outfit, who booted four unanswered goals in the first term to build a match-winning lead and eventually come away with a 9.6 (60) to 5.5 (35) victory. 

Senior Coach Ryan Davis spoke to the media after the match, and delivered four key takeaways. 

Crows made to rue slow start

Davis admitted his team was unable to match the intensity their opposition showed throughout the first quarter. 

Unable to get their hands on the ball early, the Crows were made to pay as the Dockers booted four first-quarter majors from a dominant opening term.

“I think their tenacity on the inside of the contest and being able to spread outside as well got us on the hop, and they were able to punish really well early,” Davis said. 

“They were fantastic all day, but that quarter-time margin ended up being the margin at the end of the day. So it's disappointing to let that one go that early, and then have to do so much work to try and get back into it. 

“Across half forward, we weren't really able to connect that last kick into that launch zone. Fremantle have a very stingy defense, and they were able to repel a lot of our attack. 

“So our ability to just try to lower our eyes and just be able to have a little bit more composure at the top of 50 would have been nice. But again, full credit to Fremantle, they were fantastic.”

Dockers gain midfield ascendancy 

A big part of Fremantle’s success early in the game was their ability to win the ball in the contest, and set up strong field position. 

The likes of Kiara Bowers (29 disposals and two goals), Gabby Newton (24 disposals) and Aisling McCarthy (19 disposals) were all impressive throughout the day, with Adelaide’s midfielders unable to quell their influence.

Davis said it took his team until late in the third term to flip the script, and end up showing some promising signs around the contest.

“It's Bowers or McCarthy or Newton, they're blessed through the middle of the ground, and I think it was more of an attitude mentality thing for us to get our contest back right,” Davis said.

“They were doing what they wanted in there, and I think we saw in the last quarter we were able to shift that and be able to start winning some football and have the right amount of contest, the right amount of method, and hunt around the football. We just needed it earlier.”

Jones impresses at both ends

Vice Captain Eloise Jones was thrust forward after half-time, and gave the Crows a spark with two classy majors. 

The 27-year-old was cast in a new role as a defender at the beginning of the season, with the coaching staff hoping to utilise her classy skills and strong hands out of the back half. 

But the option of sending her back to her original position always remains an option in-game, and something Davis pulled the trigger on when his team needed an offensive boost.

“She's a weapon at either end of the ground, as we know, so having the ability to swing and switch at different times of the game is a huge win for us," Davis said.

“(Eloise) being able to go down forward, kick a couple of crucial goals to get us back into the contest was very good.”

Working through inconsistency

Adelaide has been unable to find true consistency in its game so far this season, as it continues to get experience into its young group. 

The Crows were strong in their efforts against Brisbane last week, producing a memorable victory on the road, but were unable to take that form into Sunday’s match against Fremantle.

Davis said although the inconsistency was frustrating, it was part of the group’s journey as a young team. 

“We were fantastic last week, a bit disappointing this week, and I think that's going to be a little bit of part and parcel of a bit of a newer group and newer game style with the ebbs and flows of the game,” Davis said.

“But we need the attitude and the right mentality coming week in week out to be able to produce against the talented opposition in what is a very even competition.” 

Adelaide will take on cross-town rival Port Adelaide next Saturday night at Alberton in the fifth AFLW Showdown.