Adelaide 2018 trade guide: Who should the Crows chase this off-season?
BETWEEN blindfolds and torn hamstrings, Adelaide’s 2018 never had a chance. But the Crows can bounce back quickly, if they call the Blues about pick one. David King looks at the club’s trade options.
ANNUS Horribilis. Between blindfolds and torn hamstrings, Adelaide’s 2018 never had a chance given the calibre of player on the sidelines.
Last season’s all-conquering attack and strong clearance performances fell dramatically from top-four rated to bottom four levels.
Expectations of another deep September campaign have been erased over the last four weeks and it’s time to plan for 2019.
BAD CALL: CROWS EXPLAIN CAMP DRAMA
STAYING PUT: WHAT KEPT LYNCH AT THE CROWS
LIST REVIEW: WHO IS ADELAIDE’S BEST PLAYER?
Adelaide’s list is the AFL’s second oldest yet its quality isn’t in question. Crows fans can expect an immediate bounce-back to the top bracket of the table.
Sam Jacobs would be a major concern but due to injury so many others are difficult to assess.
The improvement of Paul Seedsman, Tom Doedee and Hugh Greenwood in the mid-tier has been positive.
As it stands, the Crows have three picks inside the top 20 for the upcoming ‘Superdraft’, which is full of South Australian talent.
The boom key forward Jack Lukosius is likely to be the first pick in this year’s national draft and logically the Crows want him but how can Adelaide obtain Carlton’s first pick?
Would Carlton be interested in Adelaide’s pick eight and a player, maybe two? Potentially an unhappy Mitch McGovern or a mid-range midfielder? Absolutely they would.
It would be a shock if Rory Sloane weren’t to stay and McGovern’s future is in question but don’t forget Brodie Smith will be back next year!
Premiership Clock: 11.30pm
AL PATON REVIEWS ADELAIDE’S TRADE OPTIONS
IN PLAY
1. Rory Sloane
Age: 28
Games in 2018: 4
The Crows don’t want to lose Sloane but the free agent will get big offers to return home to
Victoria (if he hasn’t already). Those close to the gun midfielder expect him to stay but there
is no sign of a new deal. Like Tom Lynch he is a restricted free agent so Adelaide could
match a rival offer.
2. Mitch McGovern
Age: 23
Games in 2018: 8
Was close to leaving for Fremantle last year before signing a three-year deal but is strongly rumoured to be having second thoughts. The Dockers could come knocking again and North Melbourne is another potential suitor.
3. Eddie Betts
Age: 31
Games in 2018: 11
Seems unthinkable that one of Adelaide’s favourite adopted sons could leave, and he has denied rumours he is unhappy. But the whispers won’t go away. Has two more years to run on his contract. Could really make the Crows regret that pre-season camp.
BUY BUY BUY
1. Jack Lukosius
Age: 17
Club: Woodville-West Torrens
Games in 2018: 0
The likely No. 1 draft pick is a home-town boy who has been likened to Nick Riewoldt, and
the Crows’ top priority in October will be wheeling and dealing to get their hands on the
coveted selection. The Crows have a strong hand with three top-20 draft picks as a result of
last year’s Jake Lever and Bryce Gibbs deals. The Blues are already stacked with tall talent,
will they come to the table?
2. Daniel Menzel
Age: 26
Club: Geelong
Games in 2018: 5
Quality goalkicker — he booted 14 in the first four rounds — who has stayed loyal to Geelong
after multiple knee injuries. Chris Scott says the Cats can only offer him one-year deals
because of his injury history. What if the Crows offered the South Australian three?
3. George Horlin-Smith
Age: 25
Club: Geelong
Games in 2018: 4
Another former South Australian who is too good to be playing for Geelong’s VFL team. He’s
an unrestricted free agent so the Crows could get him for nothing and extract a bit of
revenge for the Patrick Dangerfield move.
WINS AND ROUNDABOUTS
A big player in last year’s trade period, bringing in Bryce Gibbs and picking up Sam Gibson
for a bag of chips while losing Jake Lever, Charlie Cameron and Harrison Wigg. Have to say
they’re behind on the ledger even though both Lever and Cameron has suffered-season
ending injuries — they would look a lot better with both still in the team. Gibbs has been
good but doesn’t look like the missing piece of the flag puzzle right now. Could reassess this
if the picks they acquired land Lukosius or another top-end SA draft talent.
FANTASY QUICK FIX
If there was a mid-season trade period a gun midfielder could be the difference between
missing finals and a spot in the bottom rungs of the eight. How about Mitch Wallis? His midfield time has shrunk at the Dogs and he’s the type that just might flourish in new surroundings.
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Originally published as Adelaide 2018 trade guide: Who should the Crows chase this off-season?