Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson said he was nursing a problematic foot throughout the finals series, but declared it was no "excuse" as the Crows were bundled out in straight sets.
After securing the minor premiership, Dawson and the Crows failed to throw a punch against their finals opponents, Collingwood and Hawthorn, which brought an abrupt end to a strong year. Both defeats came at Adelaide Oval.
In one season, Matthew Nicks' men jumped from 15th to first, but had not much to show for it in September.
Dawson, speaking on Monday, revealed he may be sent in for surgery.
"It's a long season and everyone is dealing with different things, so I can't say that's an excuse," Dawson said.
"I have to chat to the doctors over my medical and figure out what the go is (with surgery).
"But that's no reason for me to make any excuses. I played OK, but not probably to the level that I would have hoped.
"It comes with challenges, to get to this time of year, and you have got to be ready for that ... you want to play your best footy when it matters, and as a group, we weren't able to do that."
The Crows began their off-season with exit meetings, and the skipper was quizzed about Taylor Walker's future.
Walker would be entering his 19th season at West Lakes, but his returns have dwindled in the past 24 months, kicking 68 goals.
"As a fan of his, as a teammate, as a great mate of his, I would love him to go around again," Dawson said.
"But obviously it's up to him and the club to work through that.
"I can't put words in his mouth, but I'm sure it (the finals results) has probably kept the fire under his belly a little bit to keep him going.
"We'll wait and see ... I've got no idea, to be honest."
