Carlton's decision to omit veteran midfielder George Hewett from the side was to improve the on-ball group's ability to spread and get from contest to contest.
The Blues relied on Patrick Cripps and Adam Cerra, as well as speedy players such as Zac Williams, Jagga Smith and Sam Walsh in centre ball-ups against Adelaide.
"To be honest with you, it just came down to wanting a different midfield mix," Adams said on Triple M before the game.
"Clearly, we've been beaten in second halves of late, whether that's been contest and spread, we feel like we need to mix it up with getting different guys in there with quicker feet at times to see if that works for us.
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"I don't think, in particular, the George Hewett one will have much to do with our ball movement.
"It's more contest to contest, the ability for our guys to cover the ground. Just getting those guys with the big tanks and the ability with their fast feet to get contest to contest.
Hopefully, it will allow us to win more contests and keep the ball in our front half for longer periods of time.
Overall, Carlton won the clearance count (45-40) on the night but still failed to win key statistical markers in post-clearance contested possessions (113-97) and post-clearance groundballs (89-71), which are indicators of spread and assistance.
Coach Michael Voss, in his post-match press conference, said that Hewett will need to embrace the challenge of earning his spot in the senior side, but noted that he will have a role to play this season.
"George has got a role to play for us," Voss said.
"He's a special human being. They're never nice moments for coaches to have, those conversations. He's a much-loved player. We always take the individual into account, but we also keep the team first and what's in the best interests of the team.
"We got a shift today. We'll keep exploring that. But that doesn't mean he doesn't turn up in the next couple of weeks for us."
