A tough opening month to the season has left Adelaide an 'almost' side.
Three losses against clubs expected to challenge for the flag (Geelong, Western Bulldogs and Fremantle) have left Crows coaches, players and fans frustrated, but no one more than head coach Matthew Nicks.
"Do I look frustrated?" he said with a smile in the post-game presser.
"I think I'm just really disappointed for us.
"I think we know the why, as I mentioned, it is then the ability to go out and fix the why. And it's simple, it's simple; It's hard to be in a contest from five metres away. For whatever reason, our focus isn't where it needs to be in those key moments.
"Great entertainment for a half of footy, but not good enough in the first half."
The Crows, as they have done in previous weeks started slowly and fell to 0-10 in clearances against a star-laden Dockers midfield.
After winning the minor premiership last season, Adelaide has now lost its past four home matches.
Tough-nut on-baller James Peatling was one of the key needle movers for the Crows in the second half, including a stellar third term when he collected 11 disposals, nine kicks, four clearances and a goal to help lead his side's fight back.
Nicks said his midfield showed what they were capable of after half time, led by Peatling.
"I really liked JP's second half," he said. "I'm mindful about making too many comments about individuals without going back and looking over the detail of it. But I think if you talk about the difference between the first and second half, guys like JP, our mids, (Jordan Dawson) in there.
"Our ability in there to compete in and actually at least match it with our opponents, I think we actually went plus five or six in clearance.
"The main thing we adjusted was our focus and James, was a big one."
