Adelaide’s depth in every position and the young Crows who need to stand up in an AFL season like no other
Adelaide will be close to full strength in Showdown 48 but the players outside of the best-22 will just as important in a season Nathan Buckley says will be a survival of the fittest. We look at the Crows depth in every position.
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As Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley recently described it, the 2020 season is going to be a survival of the fittest.
With limited preparation, following a two-month shutdown, there will be sore bodies after one week, let alone three of four.
Strict weekly protocols and a month away from in the Queensland Hub won’t make things any easy, either, especially on matchday.
And that’s if there are no further interruptions or hiccups along the way.
With only Riley Knight (injury) and Tyson Stengle (suspension) unavailable for selection, Adelaide will be close to full-strength against the Power in Showdown 48.
But the players outside of Matthew Nicks’ best-22 will be just as important in 2020.
“We’ve had a few guys who have played really good SANFL footy over the past couple of years, we are really excited by what we are going to see from them,” midfielder Brodie Smith said this week.
And it’s true.
Patrick Wilson (two AFL games) and Myles Poholke (11) have consistently shown they are too good for the state league, while the form of a number of recent draftees suggests they have a bright future at the top level.
But the reluctance to give senior opportunity to younger players in 2019 will have an impact this year.
The Crows had the equal-fewest debutants (2) of any club last season and, in total, just 41 games from players aged 21 or younger – the fourth-least in the competition.
There’s talent but also plenty of inexperience after 1139 AFL games walked out of the club at the end of last year.
Before the off-season overhaul at West Lakes, Adelaide had the third-oldest list in the competition. It now has the sixth-youngest.
“We’re probably going to have an inexperienced side at times but we’re really looking forward to seeing what they can do on the field,” Smith said.
Can the next group players deliver when called upon?
Or, at least, provide hope for the future?
ROUND 1 TEAM
B: Luke Brown, Daniel Talia, Rory Laird
HB: Wayne Milera, Fischer McAsey, Brodie Smith
C: Paul Seedsman, Matt Crouch, Taylor Walker
HF :Chayce Jones, Billy Frampton, Tom Lynch
F: Lachie Murphy, Darcy Fogarty, Tyson Stengle
FOLL: Reilly O’Brien, Brad Crouch, Rory Sloane
I/C: Bryce Gibbs, Jake Kelly, Rory Atkins, Ben Davis
DEFENCE
Rated 8th in the competition by Champion Data
Players who missed Round 1: Tom Doedee, Kyle Hartigan, Jordon Butts, Lachlan Sholl, Will Hamill, Andrew McPherson, Josh Worrell
The Crows are well-placed in defence, a statement backed up by Champion Data. After working his way back from an ACL injury, Tom Doedee is set to resume his partnership with Daniel Talia on Saturday night, while highly-talented draftee Fischer McAsey, who could still keep his spot, given his skill and attacking flair, is next in line.
Kyle Hartigan, who missed Round 1 after pre-season surgery and intercept defender Jordon Butts, a standout in the SANFL last year, provide terrific key-position depth.
Classy ball-winners Lachlan Sholl and Will Hamill, while developing, will excite Crows across halfback, should a spot open up.
MIDFIELD (Including rucks)
Rated 17th in the competition by Champion Data
Players who missed Round 1: David Mackay, Patrick Wilson, Ned McHenry, Ben Keays, Harry Schoenberg, Ronin O’Connor, Kieran Strachan
Given the Crows still appear to be working on their best mix, it’s the engine room where they could be exposed. Brodie Smith and Paul Seedsman were injected into the on-ball rotation in Round 1 to give the midfield some more speed and skill but the Swans were dominant at the contest. And that was with the Crouch brothers and Rory Sloane in the side.
Chayce Jones was quiet but it’s his dynamic inside-outside mix the Crows need. Patrick Wilson, Myles Poholke and former Lion Ben Keays can win the ball but lack that explosive speed.
The tenacious Ned McHenry, who battled injury in his first year on the list, is another who could work his way into the midfield but is likely to push for a forward-line spot, in the absence of Tyson Stengle, to start.
Of the latest crop of draftees, Harry Schoenberg boasts clean hands at the contest and speed away from it, while Ronin O’Connor, at 191cm, will bring something different. But both are still raw.
FORWARD
Rated 16th in the competition by Champion Data
Players who missed Round 1: Riley Knight, Jordan Gallucci, Myles Poholke, Ben Crocker, Elliot Himmelberg, Shane McAdam, Lachlan Gollant
At new-look Crows attack made a bright start to 2020, booting six goals straight in the opening 25 minutes against the Swans, but it will be a different group in Round 2.
Tyson Stengle, who impressed early in Round 1, will miss the next four matches through a club-imposed suspension. But there’s no shortage of replacements.
The explosive Shane McAdam has been a standout at training and looks to have finally built his fitness base to AFL standard, while Keays, McHenry and former Magpie Ben Crocker have also put their hand-up for a small-to-mid-sized forward role.
Billy Frampton got the nod as Reilly O’Brien’s back-up against the Swans but Elliot Himmelberg needs to take the opportunity when it comes.
Riley Knight can play a number of roles while Jordan Gallucci will be desperate to impress after an unconvincing first three years on the list.
There’s variety in the group and enough depth to cover most roles, providing Walker and Lynch continue to contribute. It’s the new focal point in Fogarty, however, which the Crows can’t afford to lose.
TOMORROW: Port Adelaide’s depth rated