A shock report claims Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks is set to lose his job if the Crows fall to the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
It comes as a Lions great believes Nicks is “absolutely” in trouble if his side can’t get the job done in their elimination final at Adelaide Oval.
Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
After a straight-sets finals exit last year after finishing the regular season as minor premiers, the heat is on Adelaide to capitalise on its home final against the Dogs.
So much so is the pressure on the 51-year-old, Seven’s Tom Morris reports Nicks faces a perilous fate should his team fall short this weekend.
“If Adelaide loses to the Western Bulldogs this Saturday, then I expect Matthew Nicks will lose his job,” Morris said on Channel Seven on Monday night.
“The belief at the Crows is they like Matthew Nicks, they respect Matthew Nicks, they want Matthew Nicks to be the guy, but ultimately, they believe they can’t absorb a seventh straight season without a finals victory.
“We compare his record to Neil Craig’s record. Neil Craig is the longest-serving Adelaide coach … Nicks, if he coaches into next year, will overtake Craig’s record, and the Crows believe they can’t have that unless he coaches at least one finals victory.
“(It makes) this game this weekend simply a must-win … this is not my opinion; this is my information.”
‘WOULD HAVE STAYED…’: Pendles twist as fresh details revealed in ‘disappointed’ Pies star’s exit
‘IN THIRD’: Twist in Butters race as pecking order emerges; Hawk asks about future — Whispers
‘ONE OUT OF THE BOX’: Suns’ Pendles gamble explained… and ‘brilliant’ blueprint both must follow
Craig, who coached Adelaide in 166 games between 2004 and 2011, won three finals from nine attempts as senior coach.
Nicks, meanwhile, hasn’t won a final from two attempts thus far across 154 games in charge.
The Crows haven’t won a final since the 2017 preliminary final.
