Adelaide came charging back, but it was too little, too late for the Crows against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.
In an exhilarating Round 3 clash, the Crows fell by six points (88-94) in the end at Adelaide Oval. Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said a poor first half placed his players firmly on the back foot against a quality Bulldogs line-up.
"We were a bit slow to get going for whatever reason, we don't necessarily know just yet," he said.
"Just to get ourselves up and firing took us too long.
"We were probably lucky to be in it at half time, when you think scoreboard.
"Bulldogs were very good in the first half (in) contest, smashed us in the tackle, beat us at ground ball and that can be where we are a couple per cent off.
"That was disappointing that we put that first half out there."
Off-season Crows recruit Callum Ah Chee left the field in the fourth quarter after re-injuring his hamstring - sustained during the State of Origin clash earlier this year - lunging for a spoil.
Nicks shared his disappointment for the wily half-forward.
"It was a huge effort," he said. "You talk about moments, we find ourselves flat for most of the game, and then Cal does effort, which is huge, that lifts the group, and I reckon he did another three or four in between that."
"Then he lunges for one maybe he didn't need to, but the adrenalin is pumping and he's doing everything he can to get us over the line.
"It's a tough one for Cal, we just can't quite get that one right."
A highlight from the match for Crows supporters was the first career goal for key defender Jordon Butts. In his 87th game for the club, the 26-year-old from Shepparton in northern Victoria kicked true from a set shot following a 50m penalty before being swamped by teammates.
Butts had arguably his best game yet as the 195cm defender nullified the Dogs' 208cm star Sam Darcy (one goal), while also boosting his side with a game-high 11 intercept possessions from 19 disposals.
Nicks said the Crows love Butts' ability to compete.
"We back 'Buttsy' in, we love the way he defends," he said. "He is super disciplined, he's a competitor, hates being beat.
"I thought Buttsy was huge tonight for us. He wasn't the only one, but 11 intercepts, should have kicked a couple (goals), but it was good reward. He doesn't like being beaten and we were lucky he was behind the ball, especially through the start of the game because he was huge for us in the air."
