The Crows took the fight to high-flying Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday, but again came up short.
The 11.12 (78) to 10.8 (68) defeat was their 10th straight loss to the Magpies and a sixth by less than two goals in their past seven meetings.
"We have confidence in where we're at, but also there's a reality (that) we have to be better," Adelaide coach Nicks said.
"We walk away from these with a 10-point loss or a one-kick differential. We're better than that.
"Today there were some key moments that we'll look back on, as we do on Mondays when we don't get the outcome we're after, and we kick ourselves.
'I think we're sick of that. We know we're a good side, but we want to be a great side like they are."
Adelaide were left ruing crucial missed set shots in the third quarter, as well as a series of defensive lapses.
They were also made to pay for over-possessing the ball at times in wet conditions, which invited pressure.
"It was really important in a low-scoring game for us to knock through our opportunities, especially when it's 30-40 metres with set shots," Nicks said.
"But we'll continue to work on that and it's an area that we've been reasonably strong in."
Despite some key errors, the Crows stayed right with Collingwood until late in the third quarter, then cut a 23-point margin back to just nine in the final term.
Captain Jordan Dawson's set shot late in the final quarter gave them a chance with enough time left, but the Magpies hung on.
"The game was always going to play right through because it was a real arm-wrestle," Nicks said.
"It wasn't a spectacle from a ball-movement point ... it was very much a battle with a wet and slippery footy.
"It was very much a territory battle, and they probably did slightly better than us on the day."
Crows star Izak Rankine shone with 26 disposals, four clearances and one goal, but uncharacteristically put two third-quarter set shots out on the full.
Nicks said he would continue to back Rankine "from anywhere inside 50".
"We'll probably sit down and talk through it," Nicks said.
"It will be just giving him some reinforcement that we know he can do it."
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