Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has spoken following reports he is coaching for his career against Western Bulldogs this weekend.
Speculation swirled early in the week that while the Crows want to back Nicks, a third consecutive finals loss would spell the end of his tenure as the club looks to capitalise on its current list position.
“I understand the narrative, it's part of this industry, (but) it's probably not something I could talk to,” Nicks said.
“I can talk to what it is we've built, what we're developing, and why I'm really confident on where we sit as a footy club, why we're about to go into our second final series, and there's a lot of confidence in our group, a lot of belief in what it's what we've built over a period of time," Nicks said.
“The focus for me at the moment is footy. As I mentioned, the belief we've got as a playing group and staff off the back of a 12 months worth of work since we were last in this position, puts us in a really good spot.
“I've had a lot of support actually in the last 24, 48 hours, as I've had over the last seven years. I've spoken to our CEO, president, a number of board members around where we sit as a club and the confidence that they've got, confidence that is in line with what we do as staff and the players."
The Crows are yet to win a final under Nicks after crashing out in straight sets last year, smashed in the midfield in two clashes at the Adelaide Oval after finishing as minor premiers.
Nicks indicated the group is better positioned after taking learnings from last year's finals campaign.
“Our players have incredible confidence in what they're building,” Nicks said.
“I use that word deliberately. We're still building, but maybe that'll give a little bit more confidence to some outside of what it is we're putting together.
“I think we're in a really strong position when it comes to what we're putting out on the field. Definitely mentally, we're in a great spot. We're hardened from last year's experience.
“We're actually able to draw on what we went through 12 months ago, so our players are in a really strong position on what maybe we didn't get right last year and what it is we're going to go in with as a focus this year.”
