AFL: Essendon Coach Rejects Rebuild Label; Adelaide Crows Address Slow Starts and Player Availability; Hawthorn Secures Narrow Victory

The latest AFL updates highlight Essendon coach Brad Scott's refusal to label his team's struggles as a "rebuild," the Adelaide Crows' ongoing challenges with player availability and slow starts, and Hawthorn's thrilling one-point victory against Geelong.

Essendon's coach asserts their restructuring is complete, while the Crows grapple with injuries and inconsistent performance, marked by close losses. Hawthorn, meanwhile, pulled off a narrow win against Geelong on Easter Monday.

Essendon Bombers: Not a Rebuild

Essendon coach Brad Scott has firmly stated that the club is not in a "rebuild" phase, despite their difficult start to the season. Scott pointed to a significant turnover of 39 players over the past three years, indicating that the major restructuring work – including strategic investments in future draft picks – has already been completed.

The team currently holds an 0-3 record for the season and is on a challenging 16-match losing streak, dating back to May of the previous year. Essendon is scheduled to play the unbeaten Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium this Sunday.

Scott's emphasis is squarely on controllable aspects of the game, such as pressure, intent in contests, ball winning, contested possessions, and execution, rather than merely focusing on minimizing the margin of defeat.

Young forward Nate Caddy is unavailable due to concussion, with Scott confirming that delayed symptoms were immediately addressed once identified, placing Caddy into concussion protocols. First-round draft pick Sullivan Robey is currently under consideration for his AFL debut.

Adelaide Crows: Persistent Challenges and Player Shifts

The Adelaide Crows have faced considerable hurdles with player availability and performance, detailed across recent rounds.

Ahead of their Round 3 clash against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, the Crows announced four player changes, signaling a shift in their lineup:

• Inclusions: Defender Hugh Bond (recovered from illness), utility Luke Nankervis (first match of the 2026 season), forward/midfielder Zac Taylor, and forward Finnbar Maley (club debut).
• Exclusions: Captain Jordan Dawson (calf tightness, managed), veteran forward Taylor Walker (managed), triple club champion Rory Laird (calf injury), and recruit Callum Ah Chee (hamstring injury).

Coach Matthew Nicks characterized the situation as a valuable opportunity for less experienced players. He also acknowledged the team's historical challenge of securing a win in Geelong, having not achieved a victory there in 13 years. Geelong also made changes, with captain Patrick Dangerfield (calf) and forward Brad Close out, while Oliver Wiltshire and Oliver Henry were recalled.

Adelaide ultimately lost to Geelong by an eight-point margin, with a final score of 9.14 (68) to 9.6 (60). Coach Matthew Nicks attributed the defeat primarily to a slow start, noting the team did not record an inside-50 entry in the initial 10 minutes and experienced a significant deficit in ground ball wins early on. Geelong established an early lead, though Adelaide briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter.

Statistical analysis indicated Geelong recorded 22 more inside 50s and executed 25 tackles inside its forward 50 compared to Adelaide's four. Nicks stated that a contentious free kick decision late in the fourth term did not influence the final outcome. Key defenders Nick Murray, Josh Worrell, and Jordon Butts were noted for their performance, with Butts entering and passing concussion protocols after a head knock in the third quarter. Geelong coach Chris Scott described the match as a "grind" for both teams.

Prior to their Round 4 match against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval, key forwards Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty experienced injury concerns during a training session. Fogarty received treatment for a back issue, and Thilthorpe showed signs of discomfort. Four player inclusions were confirmed:

• Captain Jordan Dawson (returned from calf soreness).
• Veteran forward Taylor Walker (returned after being managed).
• Ruckman Reilly O’Brien (first AFL game of 2026, selected for strong SANFL form and experience, particularly against Fremantle's ruck combination).
• Backman James Borlase (first AFL game of 2026, selected for consistent development and strong SANFL form).

Utility Billy Dowling was also anticipated to return to the AFL lineup. Four players were excluded: Jordon Butts (entered AFL concussion protocols), Luke Nankervis (omitted), Finnbar Maley (omitted), and Chayce Jones (omitted). Executive General Manager Football Adam Kelly stated that O’Brien and Borlase’s selection provided squad flexibility, including the option of playing two rucks.

Adelaide suffered a two-point defeat to Fremantle on Good Friday, marking their third consecutive loss by a margin of less than 10 points and moving their season record to 1-3. The Crows trailed by 34 points during the match, recovered to secure a 10-point lead, but ultimately conceded the final two goals. Fremantle captain Alex Pearce executed a critical smother in the closing minutes, proving pivotal.

Coach Matthew Nicks expressed significant frustration with the team's inability to maintain consistent performance for four quarters, noting a recurring pattern of allowing opponents to control the game's tempo, particularly in the first half.

In the first quarter against Fremantle, the Crows recorded a -38 disposal differential, trailed by 12 contested possessions, and lost the opening eight clearances. Nicks highlighted the team's struggles in contested ball and clearances, concluding with a 16-point deficit in contested possessions. He attributed performance issues to lapses in focus and execution in critical moments, stating the 1-3 record was a direct consequence of process-related deficiencies.

Late withdrawals before the match included Darcy Fogarty (back issue) and Isaac Cumming (illness/virus). Other sidelined players were Jordan Butts (concussion), Dan Curtin (knee), and Mark Keane (leg). During the fourth quarter, forward Luke Pedlar was stretchered off the field following a collision with Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir commented that his team anticipated Adelaide's fightback and demonstrated growth by stabilizing their performance under pressure, securing the win partly through late "desperation."

Adelaide is scheduled to play Carlton in their upcoming Gather Round match on Thursday night. Isaac Cumming is expected to return, while Darcy Fogarty's availability remains uncertain.

Hawthorn vs. Geelong Match: Easter Monday Thriller

Hawthorn secured a one-point victory over Geelong on Easter Monday in front of 84,712 spectators, delivering a memorable clash. Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston experienced a hamstring issue, later attributed to cramp, and impressively played out the game. Captain James Sicily briefly left the field after a shoulder 'stinger' but returned to play.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell described the game as a demanding contest, highlighting the team's resilience and fighting spirit.

Geelong coach Chris Scott noted that both teams exhibited poor execution and missed opportunities in the high-pressure match. Geelong player Jeremy Cameron sustained a knock but played out the game in a hybrid wing-forward role; his previously broken arm was unaffected.