All-Aus smokey’s HORROR night laid bare amid 12 finals fails — Crows Player Ratings

After their first minor premiership in eight years, Adelaide’s season finishes with a grim 42-year first.

A 34-point loss to Hawthorn on Friday night sees them become the first ladder-leaders to exit a finals series in straight sets since North Melbourne in 1983. Their role players played much better than their qualifying final eight days prior, but Matthew Nicks’ side still lacked genuine X-factor all night.

We rate every Adelaide player out of 10 from their semi final vs Hawthorn.

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2. Ben Keays

Quickly snapped through Adelaide’s second goal for the night on his favoured left boot. Threatened to get involved here and there, but went missing through the middle of the match. Soundly beaten by Hawthorn’s stellar defence. 4

3. Sam Berry

Was tasked with quelling Jai Newcombe, but was absolutely smoked at centre clearance by Jai Newcombe. He and James Peatling quickly waxed on-and-off, but simply got beaten by what they know. Showed glimpses of his better football after half time and burst out of stoppage on the occasion, but the start of his night tells a stark tale. 3

6. Dan Curtin

Started quietly, but slowly warmed his way into the contest on a wing with some commendable tackling pressure. Lost that momentum after half time, and didn’t have a touch in the last quarter. 4

7. Riley Thilthorpe

Played a lone hand in Adelaide’s forward line. Was worn like a glove by star rival Tom Barrass, but it resulted in Thilthorpe receiving free kicks after being infringed playing further up the ground. Kicked Adelaide’s first goal of the game via a strong contested mark inside forward 50. Managed to get separation off Barrass once more at the start of the third, and drilled home his second beautifully from distance before an excellent snap on his left foot just before the final break. His score might look a touch high, but he really couldn’t do much more with the delivery he was given. 7

8. Josh Rachele

First AFL game since Round 17, so was eased in via the sub role at half time after an ankle injury to defender Mitch Hinge. Had just one touch in the third quarter, before kicking an epic goal off the ground running towards goal when the Crows needed a minor miracle in the last term Kicked a second when the game was done and dusted, but you can’t knock him for two majors when everyone else bar Thilthorpe struggled in front of goal. 6

9. Nick Murray

Kept Mitch Lewis well held before half time to just three disposals and one score involvement before the Hawk was subbed out. Solid night in a nullifying role. 5

10. Luke Pedlar

Looked a shadow of himself last week, and registered a singular kick in the first quarter before going statless in the second. Was much more lively in the third term, and jagged himself a goal after a smart tackle on Changkuoth Jiath just metres from the goal line. Still nowhere near enough. 3

12. Jordan Dawson

Slowly clawed the Crows back into the contest early after their awful start. His presence wavered throughout the clash, and while he registered nine inside 50s, he was far from his effective best. Picked up a niggle of sorts in the third term which looked to somewhat slow him down. Was hardly their worst player, but will have liked to have a greater impact on the do-or-die match than he did. 6

13. Taylor Walker

His second ‘almost night’ in as many weeks, expect had far less of the ball this time around. Gave off a smart handball goal assist to Keays that gave the Crows their second goal, and was involved in two scores with his first two touches. Kicked two behinds in as many minutes not long before half time which you would normally back him in to slot. Ultimately, Jack Scrimshaw had his number. Hopefully not his last game at the top level. 3

14. Jake Soligo

Another quiet start for the midfielder, and unfortunately disappointed throughout the contest. Kicked the last goal of the night, but it meant very little as he just couldn’t impact with his disposal. Started 2025 like a house on fire, but will need to add a couple strings to his bow this off-season if he’s to continue to hold down a spot in Adelaide’s starting midfield. 3

16. Max Michalanney

With Hugh Bond’s omission, was sent back down to defence and looked right at home early as he stood next to Dylan Moore. The Hawks star had an incredibly high-impact game when he did get the ball, but that shouldn’t overshadow Michalanney’s performance too much. 6

19. Zac Taylor

Had just one touch in the first half to go with a single tackle inside 50. Did spring just a fraction of life into Adelaide’s midfield when injected for just the fourth match this year, but it came too late. His role in the starting 23 next year will be an intriguing one to watch. 3

20. Mitch Hinge

Was awesome early, and did more in his first quarter tonight than he did the entire opening half last week. Importantly, looked to be using the ball efficiently while also gaining ground. Unfortunately had his night brought to an ankle injury sustained in the second quarter, before copping the red vest at half time. Played better than his final score suggests. 5

24. Josh Worrell

Genuinely unfathomable now to think he wasn’t in the final 2025 All-Australian team. Got off to an incredible start amid early chaos, registering five intercept possessions in as many minutes after the first bounce. Finished with a career-high 33 disposals, a dozen of them being intercepts. Did get beaten on the odd high ball inside Hawthorn’s forward 50 in the first half, but was truly outstanding. Also unfortunately conceded a bunch of turnovers while clearing the ball out of chaos, which takes him down a grade in what would have otherwise been a near-perfect night. 8

25. James Peatling

Started lively after a poor first AFL final in Crows colours, emphasised with a cool set shot that drew scores level to 20-all. Played better that the stat sheet suggests with his 17 disposals, but was still five per cent off a level that could’ve broken the game open. 5

28. Alex Neal-Bullen

Was a rare shining night last week, but was quelled early. Tried his best to get into the game, but didn’t get the better of Blake Hardwick in what was a fascinating match-up. Six touches after half time, in a disappointing finish to what was a stellar season personally. 4

29. Rory Laird

Had a bit of the ball early, and didn’t allow Jack Ginnivan to have a say from the start. Finished with 30 disposals and was admirable when thrown back into the midfield for the second straight week. He isn’t the on-ball answer going forward in 2026, but is one of the very few who can’t be criticised for his efforts in either finals match this September. 8

30. Wayne Milera

Turned a solid start into being one of Adelaide’s after a very poor qualifying final against Collingwood, with his intercepting game back to its best. His extra-defensive approach didn’t stop him from trying to switch the ball and taking the game on with some precision kicking. Was absolutely one of Adelaide’s better players. 7

32. Darcy Fogarty

Wasn’t involved a whole lot early, but wasn’t wasteful with ball in hand either. Needed to step up after a poor week against Collingwood, and kicked a beautiful set shot from distance in the third term that his side desperately needed. 13 disposals saw him more involved than last week, but still a disappointing September. 4

33. Brodie Smith

Made a crucial tackle on Mitch Lewis during a threatening Hawthorn transition halfway through the first term, but didn’t register a disposal until the 24th minute of the same quarter. Finished the night with 15 disposals, in what could be his last-ever AFL match. Had 438 metres gained, and it was probably the right move from Matthew Nicks to give him the full game opposed to starting as sub. 4

43. Reilly O’Brien

Allowed rival ruck Lloyd Meek to register two goal assists before quarter time amid their even battle at stoppage. Had a nightmare ball drop attempting to kick inside 50 at the start of the second half, and it resulted directly in a Jack Gunston goal at the other end. Meek got the better of him after the main break, with tackling pressure in the end his best asset. 4

44. Isaac Cumming

Didn’t have a heap of ball early, but picked up the tempo in the second quarter with notable impact while gaining crucial territory. His efficiency wasn’t up to scratch across the entire match though with a quiet second half, but as a winger he did a decent enough job. 5

48. Mark Keane

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