Crows blasted after stunning Brisbane win - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Crows blasted after stunning Brisbane win

Steve Larkin 29/05/2011 06:06:41 PM Comments (0)

Frustrated Adelaide coach Neil Craig blasted his AFL players as immature after their 40-point collapse to unfancied Brisbane on Sunday.

Craig was abused by angry Crows supporters as he left AAMI Stadium following Brisbane's turnaround 15.11 (101) to 8.13 (61) triumph.

Craig conceded the heat would rise on him after a meek loss left Adelaide's season in tatters with six losses from nine games,

"I am not here for social approval," Craig said.

"I'm here to do a job with this team and be very strong with this team and expect this team to perform at a high level ... I'm not backing off on that, I ain't backing on that - very high standards stay.

"And if that puts pressure back on me, so be it ... but I ain't backing off."

Craig described the loss as worse than Adelaide's 96-point flogging by Melbourne three weeks ago.

"We don't really understand, as a group, what creates success," he said.

"I thought we played today as if it was just going to happen, that is how it looked to me, and that is a very immature approach."

The Crows were in control when skipping to a two-goal lead at quarter-time.

But Brisbane then booted 13 goals to three in a commanding period which laid the platform for consecutive victories.

Inspired by roaming utility Mitch Clark (24 disposals, eight marks, two goals) and a special from prime mover Simon Black (32 touches), the Lions cracked open the game in the second term courtesy of an Ashley McGrath cameo.

McGrath kicked three goals and set up another in a 17 minute spree which changed the tune of the match.

McGrath ultimately finished with four goals and fellow small forward Todd Banfield kicked three as the Lions buried some of the pain from seven straight losses to start their season.

Brisbane prevailed despite captain Jonathon Brown, in his second game back from an eight-week facial injury layoff, not kicking a goal.

"Maybe if there has been a benefit of the fact that Browny hasn't been around, it means we have had to find goals from everyone else," Brisbane coach Michael Voss said.

"Maybe his absence has let other people grow ... hopefully as a growth in the team, we have seen something."

Adelaide forward Taylor Walker sprained an ankle and was sidelined the second half, ending his woeful week which included criticism for drinking beer at the footy last weekend when out of the Crows side.

Walker is in doubt for Adelaide's away trip to meet North Melbourne next Sunday while the Lions host Sydney on Saturday night.

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