Kysaiah Pickett in more hot water as AFL world rips Adelaide over 'staggering' scenes

The Melbourne Demons and Adelaide Crows are both facing headaches after their AFL clash on Thursday night, with Kysaiah Pickett under scrutiny for a high bump and the Crows slumping to an 0-4 start. The Demons extended their winning streak to four matches with a 15-point victory over Adelaide, but could be without Pickett moving forward.

Pickett jumped in the air in an attempt to smother Jake Soligo's hand-ball, before tucking his arm and collecting his opponent in the head with his elbow. The contact didn't cause any major damage to Soligo, but the AFL has cracked down on such incidents this year after Brayden Maynard's collision with Angus Brayshaw in 2023.

Pickett, who kicked two goals and had 11 disposals on Thursday night, was suspended twice for high bumps on opponents last year. "Obviously he was trying to smother a hand-ball and that will be looked at through the week, I'm sure, but we'll just wait and see with that," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.

"He puts enormous pressure on, he tries to intercept the ball - that's his game. He's modified a lot of what he's done previously and I don't see that in his game much at all anymore. Tonight's a little bit different."

Hawthorn champion Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy: “That’s a difficult one. I think there were extenuating circumstances. In the end it looks like he goes to push off with the contact … the contact doesn’t look a lot to me. In slow motion it looks bad … but there’s a lot worse going around."

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David King said: “It’s just a dumb thing to do. He’s reaching for contact … and then the onus is on you to miss the head. He’s in trouble.” While Leigh Montagna added: “It doesn’t look good on that angle. It’s the Maynard rule isn’t it? He jumped to smother and then didn’t avoid the contact. Might be in trouble.”

Crows called out over 'staggering' scenes involving Jordan Dawson

While the Demons are flying high at 4-1 atop the AFL ladder, the Crows are now winless from four games. AFL fans and commentators were left gobsmacked in the final quarter when superstars Jordan Dawson and Matt Crouch were stuck on the bench and couldn't get back on the ground.

Crows captain Dawson came from the field after Adelaide cut the lead to just 10 points, but spent way too long on the bench. By the time the Crows managed to get Dawson and Crouch back onto the field it was too late.

“How does this happen?" Brian Taylor said in commentary for Channel 7. "With so many people on the bench to sort this out. How is your best player not on the ground at the most important time?

“I’m staggered by this. It happens often and we talk about it all the time. The game is very professional yet the bench people can’t seem to sort it out. He has been off for five minutes. He is their most important player and they can’t get him on. Unbelievable. Inexplicable.”

Adelaide Crows have AFL history firmly against them

History is firmly against Adelaide now that they're 0-4. Only one team has recovered from that position to play finals under the top-eight system - Sydney in 2017.

Coach Matthew Nicks is yet to lead the Crows to a finals appearance in his four years in charge, but was widely expected to do so this year after an 11-win campaign in 2023. "We'll never give up," he said after the loss to Melbourne.

"I know they can perform at a level higher than we are now. I'm confident that we're going to find our way through this. Tonight was a small step in a certain area. We've still got a hell of a lot of work to do but I'm confident in the group."

with AAP