Adelaide Crows analysis: Trade targets, biggest contract questions
Adelaide have already surpassed their 2023 expectations, so where should they turn to get themselves in the premiership window next season? The answer may lie in trading one of their veterans.
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At the mid-season break, the Crows have exceeded all expectations, sitting seventh on the ladder and playing an attractive game style under coach Matthew Nicks.
How did they get there? Where has the improvement come from? And what can they do this off-season to take the next step?
Simeon Thomas-Wilson unpicks where the Crows are at.
2022 TRADE REVIEW
IN: Izak Rankine, picks 43, 46, 50, 56, 59, future second (NM), future second (GC), future fourth (FRE)
OUT: Billy Frampton, picks 5, 23, 79, future second (to GC), future third (to GC), future fourth (to GC)
The Crows went hard to bring Izak Rankine back to South Australia, and based on what we’ve seen so far it was an inspired move.
Rankine has shown some significant star quality for the Crows, making those critics who said he was overpaid eat their words.
Outside of the addition of Rankine it was a quiet trade period for the Crows.
Billy Frampton left for Collingwood but Nick Murray has stepped up significantly as a key defender this season.
2022 DRAFT REVIEW
The Crows have been hurt by the father-son rule applying to SANFL greats in the past – Bryce Gibbs for one – but they have ended up with a beauty in Max Michalanney. The Crows matched a bit at pick 17 for the son of Norwood’s four-time premiership winner Jim. And he hasn’t missed a beat since being drafted. After a strong pre-season Michalanney debuted in round 1 and has played every game. While eventually he could become a key defender, it is his jobs on the dangerous small forwards that are earning him plenty of plaudits, and comparisons to Crows great Ben Hart.
Michalanney is the only draftee to debut for the Crows. Pick 43 Billy Dowling has been in the SANFL while Hugh Bond has been out with a knee injury.
But both showed some promising signs in the pre-season.
2023 PASS MARK
In pre-season the pass mark for fans would have been at least 10 wins and for the Crows to at the very least have a crack at finals.
While their form away from home needs to improve, the pass mark now is probably a top-eight finish.
OUT OF CONTRACT
Veterans Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane should sign one-year extensions at some point this season, while Chayce Jones and Lachie Murphy are also expected to sign new deals soon. Outside of those in the AFL team at the moment, there are a number of out-of-contract Crows who might be sweating on their futures.
Matt Crouch has only tasted AFL action as a sub this year and is stuck in the SANFL, Harry Schoenberg is in and out of the side, Jackson Hately also can’t crack the team, while Shane McAdam’s suspension and then injury have came at a poor moment for him.
Former Collingwood father-son Tyler Brown has also been unable to crack the Crows side on a regular basis this season.
Andrew McPherson has struggled with injuries this year after he was re-rookied at the end of last season.
Luke Nankervis should get another deal while the Crows will have calls to make on Category B rookies James Borlase and Tariek Newchurch.
Irishman Mark Keane is highly rated should he decide he wants to persist with Australian rules.
Tom Doedee is still unsigned as he weighs up whether to exercise his free agency rights, but the Crows are hopeful they can keep him.
WHO SHOULD THEY TARGET?
At the top of the Crows’ trade list is Essendon half-back Mason Redman.
The Crows now believe that Redman, from Millicent in the state’s southeast, is seriously considering their offer.
The 25-year-old has been in fine form for the Bombers and would be an ideal replacement for leadership group member Brodie Smith.
If he stays with the Bombers then the Crows could look at Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Williams, who has spent some time in the midfield this year as well.
WHO CAN THEY USE AS TRADE BAIT?
If Doedee decides he wants to leave then the Crows should be able to get a good package for the intercept defender.
CHAMPION DATA’S HITS AND MISSES
Green Flag – Adelaide scores from 47 per cent of inside-50 entries this season – ranked No.2.
Red Flag – The Crows rank 13th for points against, 14th for opposition scores per inside-50 and 16th for points conceded from stoppage.
REVISED BEST 22
B: Doedee, Butts, Michalanney
HB: Smith, Murray, Milera
C: Jones, Dawson, Sholl
HF: Keays, Fogarty, Pedlar
F: Murphy, Walker, Rankine
FOL: O’Brien, Laird, Rachele
IC: Thilthorpe, Sloane, Soligo, Hinge
CHANGES FROM PRE-SEASON
In: Michalanney, Sholl, Murphy, Pedlar
Out: Worell, Berry, McAdam, Schoenberg
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