Players to blame not Sando: Sloane

Adelaide's rollercoaster season has continued in the West, falling to a red-hot Fremantle.

Rory Sloane says coach Brenton Sanderson is not to blame. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

CO-CAPTAIN Rory Sloane concedes Adelaide has no answers to its yo-yo form ahead of Saturday's win-or-bust home clash with North Melbourne – but insists coach Brenton Sanderson isn't to blame.

Straight-talker Sloane, 24, condemned Adelaide's playing group for a sixth defeat against Fremantle on Sunday in Perth characterised by the poor mental focus and intensity blighting its season.

There can be no excuse in the professional age for a side that doesn't turn up with the right psyche.

"We will review it but the same stuff always pops up. We have to take responsibility and action some of it because it is not good enough as players," said Sloane when asked if Sanderson's messages were getting through after a two-point, half-time lead turned to 40-point defeat.

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says his team was blown off the park in the second half.

"The players, coaches are frustrated and I guess wondering why we are still so inconsistent. It didn't seem like there was much effort, intensity lacked completely. Fremantle just outran us, it was pretty poor really."

Failure against Brad Scott's men at Adelaide Oval would leave the 10th-ranked Crows 5-7 and 12 points in arrears of seventh-placed North. Essendon then top dog Port Adelaide follow as the Crows contemplate another September void.

"It's an important game, we are 5-6 and really need to get that squared off now if we are going to take some form into the second half of the year," said club champion Sloane.

"It is a big few weeks definitely. We have a few of the best teams in the next three weeks starting with North who are in great form.

Brenton Sanderson addresses his troops on Sunday. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

"If we bring our best game we will be a great chance. If we are not switched on it will be pretty tough for us."

Adelaide knows where it is falling down but still has no remedy entering Round 13.

"We seemed a bit off. I am not sure why, that is what we are scratching our heads about now," said Sloane, with seven Crows having less than 10 touches against Fremantle.

"We bring it some weeks and look amazing and don't bring it the next week and look pretty poor.

"It starts with bringing the right frame of mind in those games, bringing the heat to really cause turnovers."

Sloane noted the frustration fans must feel with victories against Collingwood and Gold Coast spliced with indifferent displays.

"We know when we play the right way, get the pressure right we can match it with the best teams," said Sloane.

"Lucky we get another chance to respond and hopefully the roller-coaster form continues and we are back up into action."