Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has summed up 2020 at the Adelaide Crows with one word: challenging.

The first-year coach had to wait until Round 14 to claim his first win in a delayed season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Challenging would be the key word,” Nicks told The Optus Crows Show.

“But that doesn’t mean I haven’t enjoyed it… I love the challenge, so it’s been rewarding.

“For us as a group to get where we are now, it’s reward for effort.” 

Although “challenging”, Nicks has taken many lessons out of a tough start to his senior coaching career.

“Lesson one is stick to your guns, trust the process,” he said.

“We’ve got an overriding philosophy of prioritising others and I think the team now, the individuals, are doing exactly that.

“Maybe being in the bubble was an advantage in the end? We were trapped inside this bubble where the noise from outside wasn’t quite as loud as what it normally would be.”

Once that first win finally came against the Hawks earlier this month, Nicks said it was a really proud moment as coach.

“I was proud to walk into the changerooms after our first win and see smiles on people’s faces, people that really deserved that result,” Nicks said.

The Optus Crows Show airs on Saturday at 1pm on Channel 7 Adelaide.

Interstate fans can catch the full episode on afc.com.au shortly after.