Former Adelaide captain Rory Sloane has criticised the reporting surrounding Matthew Nicks’ future, arguing the Crows coach was unfairly placed under scrutiny before the club’s elimination final against the Western Bulldogs.
Speculation had suggested Nicks could lose his job if Adelaide failed to win the match, despite being contracted through to the end of 2027. The reports prompted public backing from Crows chairman John Olsen, who said the club expected Nicks to remain in charge next season.
Sloane, who retired after 255 games for Adelaide, said he was unhappy with the way the story had been handled and rejected the suggestion that the coach lacked the support of the playing group.
The controversy came as Adelaide prepared for a do-or-die clash with the Bulldogs, following a straight-sets finals exit in 2025 and growing pressure on Nicks to deliver a breakthrough victory in September.
Instead, the Crows responded with a 22-point win at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, defeating the Western Bulldogs 14.6 (90) to 9.14 (68) and securing their first finals victory since 2017.
Nicks, who is in his seventh season as Adelaide coach, said during the week that he understood the speculation but had received strong support from the club. He also acknowledged that coaching security could change quickly in professional sport.
The victory eased the immediate pressure on Nicks and booked Adelaide a semi-final against Brisbane. It also gave the coach his first finals win since taking charge of the Crows in 2020.
