Adelaide Football Club

I’m assuming other footy fans do something similar to me once their team is out of the finals race - start looking at player profiles and mock drafts and figuring out who they’d like their team to pickup.

I thought it would be interesting to look back on the players I wanted the Crows to draft and see how they’re doing in hindsight. Would I have been better than the recruiting team?

Mine are: 2015 - Wayne Milera - has shown glimpses of his potential but hasn’t yet put it all together.

2016 - I only remember not knowing who Gallucci was 😅

2017 - Darcy Fogarty. Am happy with this pick, I think we finally started to see this pay off in 2024 and he should only get better.

2018 - I hoped Izak Rankine or Connor Rozee fell through to us but was otherwise hoping for Jackson Hately. Glad we got Rankine eventually, but the recruiters were right to select Jones ahead of Hately.

2019 - Was hoping for Dylan Stephens 🫠 would’ve been slightly better than the McAsey pick… but not by much. I also wanted Schoenberg, and I haven’t quite given up on him yet (although he is very much at the last chance saloon

2020 - Thilthorpe, the obvious choice. I think by the end of this year he will be seen as the best player in this draft. I also wanted Tom Powell (was surprised when the Crows took Pedlar instead) and Cook (who is showing signs… just wish he knew how to find the pill). So far Powell is ahead of Pedlar.

2021 - Wanted Rachele, and we got him. Jury is still out, Wanganeen-Milera is the only player selected in the few picks after him who is definitely ahead - I thought he was too small at the time

2022 - Knew we were getting Michalanney… was eyeing off Dowling but thought he wouldn’t get selected. I had Adam D’Aloia ahead of Hugh Bond and so far the recruiters have beaten me there.

2023 - was happy with Curtin but disappointed to miss out on Goad. Too early to tell there.

2024 - had my heart set on Draper, glad he’s here

I want to know how you guys feel about The Crows, as everywhere else I go, I see people talk about the crows as a mid table club, with almost no one seeing a jump into the 8.

As an outsider, I thought the list was good enough, given a few players lift, to make finals, and even a top 4 finish if a bit lucky

I just want to know what you guys think

Just for a bit of fun.

1. Who are three players you want to see carry us/break out this year?

2. What three players do you want to see get more of a chance in the 1s?

3. And finally, realistic team expectations?

Crows recruit impressing, new mid 'unbelievable' - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1265095

Title says it all really. Our season preview is due March 1st.

In the dark days of summer I was thinking about who was the best player in each number for the crows.

The follow is my list, I gave weighting to AA, role in the team, games played & statistics. I didn't include games played for other teams which ruled out players like Dangerfield and difficult for players like McGuiness.
Interested to see what other people's lists look like

1- Greg Anderson

2- Andrew Jarman (but I suspect this will be Ben Keays by the end of his career)

3- Darren Jarman

4- Josh Jenkins

5- Scott Thompson

6- Modra

7- Smart

8- Nathan Bassett

9- Rory Sloane-(Edwards wasn't far behind but his lack of AA recognition or other awards just put him behind but I think you can make a convincing case for either)

10- Matthew Robran Just ahead of McDermott

11-Tony McGuiness

12-Daniel Tahlia (Dawson probably overtakes in the future but Tahlia's 2 AA to Dawson's one swayed it for me)

13- Taylor Walker

14- Matthew Connell

15- David Pittman (dual premiership player but also coping one of the most brutal public spraying from Blight is enough to get him over the line)

16- Luke Brown

17- Scott Welsh, just ahead of Vince. 4 time leading goal kicker versus 1 Blight medal.

18- Eddie Betts

19- Mark Stevens

20- Tyson Stenglein

21- Chris Knights

22- Andy Otten

23- McLeod

24- Sam Jacobs

25- Ben Rutten

26- Bickley

27- Matthew Liptak

28- Kane Johnson

29- Laird

30- Peter Vardy

31- Matthew Kluzek but this is a really bleak number in crows history.

32- Roo

33- Brodie Smith

34- Ben Hart

35 - Rod Jameson

36- Simon Goodwin

37- Trent Hentschel (O what could have been from Trent Potential, still the best player to wear 37)

38- Lachie Sholl

39- Tom Doedee

40- Jason Porplyzia

41- Mitch McGovern

42- Alex Keath

43- Reilly O’Brien

44- Caven..the bath he gave Carey in in 98 GF will forever be a cherished memory

45- Ricky Henderson

46- Rory Laird- his rookie season where he got a rising star nom is better then anyone else's career in this number at the crows... bleak

47- Mattie Wright- kicked 32 goals in this number in two seasons before going to 11.

48- Mark Keane

49- Mark Vista

50- Chris Groom (Played the most games and was involved in the greatest trade fleecing of all time to bring the McLeod to the Crows)

51- Randall Bone, in a club by himself

52- Rehn, also in a club of his own but would probably beat out most others anyway

Well there you have it, not as many contentious ones as I thought there would be, keen to hear othrs thoughts.

I wanted to see who everyone thinks will be our biggest improvers. Who we think is ready to step up, who want to step up.

I'm general what we think could happen with our list.

For example I want Pedlar (gen FWD) and Jones (wing) to get better than their 2023 seasons. They both had injuries and struggled with form in 2024. Plus their positions are getting competitive, but I think their best puts them in the team.

I think we will see a real step up in consistency from both Soligo and Rachele.

I think Berry tries to usurp Laird and Crouch's roles. I think he could be our defensive mid.

I think Dowling will cement a spot, just seems reliable.

Everyone sees it, but Keane to lock down a spot over Butts.

I see Curtin as getting moved around too much, Ryan not getting much opportunity, and Edwards from Crows comments sounds too raw still.

I was really happy with Bond. I think he comes in to play roles or let Michaelanney move up field. But I don't think he gets enough opportunity to step up.

Our 3 traded in players I expect to play well, but haven't included them.

From Norwood pre Xmas update 19 Dec 2024.

"The club has also received a commitment from a ruckman, 22-year-old former Sydney Swans ruck in Lachlan McAndrew. McAndrew is currently training with the Adelaide Crows following the news that their ruckman Kieran Strachan sustained a foot injury. Strachan is expected to spend four months on the sidelines with the stress fracture in his foot."

https://norwoodfc.com.au/news/senior-mens-pre-christmas-update/

Just wondering how many supporters are from out of state or even overseas, from me I was born in Perth but my old man is from Clare valley and grew up there and Adelaide. I lived in Adelaide for about 7 years when I was very young, moved to Perth and stayed there until I moved overseas permanently. The connections to Adelaide/SA were why I barracked for the Crows, which was quite difficult at times when literally 80% of my school cohort was either Eagles or Dockers supporters, I think I knew one teacher who was a Crows supporter in my whole 9 years of school there lol.

What about the rest of you?

Hi everyone!

I am a new Adelaide Crows member with the 5 Game Unreserved Western Stand membership.

It is currently unclear to me if I am guaranteed a seat to the games. Is it a first in best dressed situation? Alternatively, do we need to reserve a spot when tickets are released so the stadium is aware for capacity reasons? Any guidance and explanation would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance.

Big Riley looks like he’s taken to the gym since seasons end! With a versatile midfield all around the ground I can see him having a very big 2025. Fingers crossed.

Free to use if you want, Go Adelaide

B: J.Worrell, M.Keane, M.Michalanney

HB: R.Laird, N.Murray, I.Cumming

C: L.Sholl, J.Peatling, M.Hinge

HF: A.Neal-Bullen, D.Fogarty, B.Keays

F: R.Thilthorpe, T.Walker, I.Rankine

FOLL: R.O’Brien, J.Dawson, J.Soligo

I/C: J.Rachele, S.Draper, W.Milera, D.Curtin, M.Crouch

EMG: S.Berry, J.Butts, L.Nankervis

Off-season recruits Alex Neal-Bullen, Isaac Cumming and James Peatling should all find themselves in Matthew Nicks’ Round 1 side. At November’s draft, Adelaide decided on Sid Draper, and if pre-season reports are anything to go by, the local product should find himself in the seniors from the get-go. Club stalwart Rory Laird likely takes more of a back seat next season and spends more time across half-back. Sam Berry, Jordon Butts and Luke Nankervis are among the several unlucky players to miss out on selection.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2024-predicting-every-clubs-2025-opening-round-and-round-1-lineups-teams-analysis-opinion-latest-news/news-story/b271f67b0c99f960c2e797472dd85e44