Adelaide’s season came to an end after going down to Melbourne in its final minor round match at Unley Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Crows produced a gallant final-quarter fightback after trailing the third-placed Demons from the first bounce but could not capitalise on their opportunities in front of goal.

Adelaide’s 3.11 (29) to 6.11 (47) loss brought to a close a season of ups and downs, giving Senior Coach Ryan Davis much to reflect on.

Davis delivered the following takeaways post-game.

Coach reflects on first season in charge

Adelaide’s season ending loss to Melbourne saw it finish 11th with a 5-7 win-loss record.

It also marked the first time the Crows had not qualified for finals since the 2020 season, which was eventually abandoned due to COVID.

Davis, who had now finished his first season at the helm after taking the reins in December last year, said missing out on a finals berth was disappointing.

But he had a simple message for not only his players, but also Members and supporters.

“I think just to stick fat. I mean, this is a proud club that hasn't missed finals too often, so I'm sure that the girls are hurting,” Davis said.

“(Now), it’s just making sure we get around each other, enjoy the memories of the year that has been, enjoy playing at Unley for the last time, all those types of things.

“Then we'll get stuck into that when we get the opportunity (of next year).”

Davis said the side showed resilience throughout a year of significant change, with him taking over as Senior Coach, Bree Brock becoming the Club’s Executive General Manager AFLW, and a host of new players arriving at the Club..

“I'm pretty proud of the group, to be honest with you, (and) the way they've really lent into the new game style, the new program,” Davis said.

“We had seven debutantes and eight new players wearing Crows guernseys this year, so I think there were ebbs and flows in our season. 

“Our good is really good, and our not so good definitely can come up, but I think Crows fans can be pretty excited about the future that we're not going to go away.”

Davis on the lose to the Dees

Adelaide was down by as much as 31 points midway through the second term against Melbourne, before a Keeley Kustermann goal cut the margin to 24 heading into the final quarter.

The Crows led the inside-50 count in the third term 8-7 but could not capitalise in front of goal.

And while their final-quarter fightback was gallant, it proved too little, too late against the finals-bound Demons.

Davis said there were positives to take out of the game but conceded Melbourne was too strong.

“I think they sort of got us in the contest and a little bit of work rate throughout the middle parts of the ground, but I really like the way we finished it off,” Davis said

“There were some really good endeavor, and some really good signs going forward into next season.

“I think in-and-around the contest, the work rate - it's a really good lesson for us against a quality time that's going to go deep in the finals.”

Caitlin Gould injury

Forward Caitlin Gould’s day ended in the third quarter when she fell awkwardly in a ground-ball contest.

Davis believed it was a foot or an ankle injury but expected to have more information in the coming week.

“It was a foot or an ankle,” Davis said.

“(We’ve got our) fingers crossed for Caitlin that she can start next season on two feet.”

Close losses and learnings from 2026

The Crows suffered two losses by fewer than 10 points this season (to Sydney and North Melbourne) and three defeats by fewer than two goals.

Although that did leave a lot for Davis and his team to rue with what could have been, he said those defeats also provided learnings which would hold the group in good stead.

“I think the way our fixture sort of panned out in the end, we developed a lot,” Davis said.

“We got better and improved as the season went on, and then to be able to have three of the top four sides at the back end of our season, I look at it as a blessing. 

“We get to really see how much we have developed, where we need to get to, and then use that last month going into the off-season and pre-season.”

Looking ahead to Thebarton

Adelaide will move into a new home next year, with the completion of the Club’s Thebarton Oval Precinct edging closer.

And the AFLW team will host its home games at the newly redeveloped Thebarton Oval, starting from the 2027 season.

Davis said it was an exciting time to be part of the club and was pleased to have a permanent home base.

“Having new areas, having new weights, new grounds - all those types of things - will just lift our professionalism, our appetite, our hunger to want to be in there as well,” Davis said.

“It's also a fantastic recruiting and retention tool, and then somewhere where all our fans can call home. 

“We're really looking forward to Thebarton. It's something that the Crows have been dying for for quite a long time, and we can't wait to get in there.”