AFL

The Adelaide Crows were well beaten by the Brisbane Lions in their semi-final clash at the Gabba, to the tune of 53 points.

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A devastating seven-minute blitz to begin the game saw Brisbane kick five goals on the bounce, leaving Matthew Nicks and his team reeling.

Yes, they got back into the game in the second term, but it was nothing more than a sugar hit as the Lions clicked through the gears again.

Such was the manner of the defeat; questions are now coming for Matthew Nicks again, as his position as coach could be in trouble less than a week after a stirring win over the Western Bulldogs.

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And for Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph, the thought of a contract extension for Nicks looks tougher to do after the loss.

“We thought last week’s rousing victory over the Western Bulldogs had meant that he’d escaped the hot seat,” Ralph said post-game via Fox Sports.

“This was a disaster, and you could probably say the margin flattered this club, given that they were jumped, their midfield was absolutely obliterated. They just had no spark, and that’s of course on the coach. Too many timid efforts, let’s call it, from their stars out there.

“It would surprise if he was moved on … but it certainly makes the case for an off-season extension really challenging for the club’s brains trust.”

What will Crows do?

Personally, I don’t think they will move on from Nicks, given what the Crows have done in the regular season.

But those finals losses make you pause a little.

I don’t think the Crows’ decision-makers will jump to conclusions after the loss, but as Ralph says, an extension looks tough right now.

That means he will coach into the final year of his contract in 2027, which isn’t a great thing to have hanging over the club.

But can you extend him after such a loss?

I get the feeling we will be watching this storyline intently this offseason.

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What will Crows do?

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