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Live sport on SN this weekendWhat's the pass mark for Adelaide this season?
Nicholas Quinlan • July 26th, 2026 3:21 pm
SEN’s Crunch Time team has debated what should be the pass mark for the Adelaide Crows in 2026.
Following their first minor premiership in eight years in 2025, Adelaide was knocked out in straight sets, failing to win a single quarter throughout.
Following their disastrous exit in September, the Crows remained around the mark in 2026, finding themselves in the mix for a top six spot having won six of their eight matches since their mid-season bye.
With Adelaide currently placed for a home elimination final, this lead former West Coast coach Adam Simpson to wonder whether we should be expecting more from them given their previous season.
This then led to a debate between himself and Kane Cornes as to what would be considered a pass for Matthew Nicks’ men.
Simpson: “They’re 5th at the moment. Are we happy (with that)?”
“If you're an Adelaide supporter, are we expecting them to be top?”
“I know last year they had the perfect year last year. The fixture, they had no injuries, they came from outside the eight…”
Cornes: “Prelim final is the pass mark.”
Simpson: “Yeah, I tend to disagree a little bit.
“I just think next year (after the minor premiership) is always, can you frank what you did in that perfect storm year where (there was) no injuries, you had the head of fitness who was a star, you had the perfect draw and you fell over.”
“So if they hadn't made a prelim last year…”
Cornes: “Year seven, a long rebuild, hasn't won a final as a coach, finished top last year, didn't win a final as a result of two home finals, (the pass mark) had to be a prelim.
“How could it be anything other than…”
Tom Morris: “What about an elimination final win, Kane? Just winning a final.”
Cornes: “It's prelim for me.”
“Like winning a final is great and (it) gets that monkey off Matthew Nicks’ back to get his first final win.”
“You top up your list again. They’ve been pretty aggressive; it's a long time, seven years.”
Simpson: “I'm probably (for) win a final.
Cornes: “Win a Wildcard final or a proper final.
Simpson: “That's a good question. A (proper) final is one I'd be leaning on as that would be expectation.
Gerard Whateley: “They wouldn't want to lose an elimination final to a Wildcard team.”
The Crows will travel east to Marvel Stadium where Essendon awaits them for their Round 21 clash.
That match takes place on Sunday, which begins at 4:40pm AEST.
