Adelaide pre-season news: All the latest from the Crows ahead of the 2023 season

Adelaide insists its round 1 side is far from settled, but its latest pre-season hit out hinted at who the bolters and locks could be. Have your say on the fringe players pushing to be best 23.

Adelaide assistant Nathan van Berlo says the club is unsure of its best 22 three weeks from round 1, opening the door for players to secure spots on the pre-season trip to Perth.

The Crows will give the majority of the squad the chance to push their selection cases in trial games against Fremantle on Friday afternoon and West Coast a week later, as several positions remain up in the air.

In match simulation at training on Wednesday, Will Hamill, Ned McHenry, Lachlan Murphy, Patrick Parnell, Matt Crouch, Tyler Brown, Mark Keane and Max Michalanney were among the players to feature in what looked to be the B line-up.

Veteran Taylor Walker, who was set to be rested for Friday’s match before heading to Perth next week, sat out the session.

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Midfield mentor van Berlo said the trip was important for the team’s preparation.

“It’s a good chance for us to see where our chemistry’s at and where a lot of guys are at form-wise because we’ve got a lot of spots up for grabs,” van Berlo told SEN WA.

“We’re not sure of our best 22 at the moment.

“It’s an opportunity for guys to show their wares and show where they’re at, and put their best foot forward for round 1.”

The Crows also have the chance to test what they hope will be a more dynamic midfield mix that includes recruit Izak Rankine and skilful second-year player Josh Rachele.

Adelaide’s on-ball brigade has been accused of being a little one-paced and having too many similar types of players during the past few seasons.

Van Berlo said the club wanted Rankine’s polish and cleanliness around the football a lot more than during the 22-year-old’s stint at Gold Coast.

Both Rankine and Rachele split time between the midfield and attack in Friday’s internal trial, a game in which the ex-Sun booted five goals.

“We feel like we need that (different dynamic) around the footy based on our last couple of seasons,” van Berlo said.

Wayne Milera is flying after returning to halfback.

Former captain Rory Sloane lined up on a wing in Wednesday’s match simulation and Wayne Milera was again eye-catching at half-back.

Van Berlo said he had loved Milera’s showings this pre-season, while second-year wingman Jake Soligo had also impressed him.

Friday’s clash with the Dockers will be played over six 25-minute periods with no time on at Fremantle’s training ground at Cockburn.

That afternoon, Port Adelaide will face West Coast across six periods, four lasting 28 minutes and two going for 20, at the Eagles’ home base, Lathlain Park.

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Adelaide will leave Taylor Walker back in South Australia for the first game of its trip to Perth to take on the two Western Australian clubs.

The Crows and Port Adelaide head west this week to take on Fremantle and West Coast in trial and practice games.

The Crows and Dockers face off on Friday evening, as do the Power and Eagles before the opponents are swapped around next week for practice games held under AFL rules and regulations.

Adelaide will be without its spearhead in Walker for the clash against the Dockers.

As part of their management of the former captain of the club, the Crows will allow Walker to stay in Adelaide over the weekend before joining the group on Monday.

Taylor Walker will play in just one of the Crows two upcoming trial matches. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“I’m not going for the first game, I’ll stay home and then head over on the Monday for the West Coast game,” he said on Triple M.

“As you get a little bit older you get looked after a bit more.”

The 32-year-old will be the only Crows senior player who will be left back in Adelaide over the weekend.

Walker kicked four goals in the Crows’ internal trial last week as he looks to continue his late career renaissance.

The Power will take their entire squad to Perth for this week’s match.

Their clash against West Coast will be a six-period match, four of 28 minutes and two of 20 minutes, with the Power intending to use the entirety of their squad.

Following that some players who won’t be involved in the clash against Fremantle less than a week later will be sent back to Adelaide.