AFL analysis: 5 ways the Adelaide Crows can fast-track their rebuild
There are two out-of-contract South Australians at the Swans who would fit nicely at Adelaide. But what would it cost the Crows? Five ways they could go in the off-season.
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We all know Adelaide is in a rebuild, but how long will it last for the Crows?
After claiming the club’s first ever wooden spoon in his debut campaign as a senior coach, Matthew Nicks’ has seen his side sell some serious hope to fans with stunning wins over Geelong and Melbourne in games few had given the Crows a sniff in.
But on the other side of the coin the Crows have let slip games it was expected to win, losing to Collingwood and Fremantle at Adelaide Oval while they threw away a lead against Hawthorn in Tasmania.
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When asked just where the Crows were in the rebuild, Nicks said they were on track but there was still significant work to be done.
“I can’t give you exactly where we are percentage wise but what I can say is that we are building a culture and a place where people want to work, we’ve done that,” he said.
“People want to be here … we have a lot of good people around the footy club, so from an off-field perspective at the footy club we are kicking goals.
“On field we have had some really positive things happen. We have a group that I believe can play a finals brand of footy, they embrace that and really enjoy that.
“We are in games of footy, we have beaten some really strong sides and we have lost some games that perhaps we should have lost.
“So from an on-field point of view we are making progress but we still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do.”
HOW THE CROWS COULD SPEED UP REBUILD
Go all in on Horne?
For the second straight year, an elite South Australian talent is set to go in the first couple of bids in the draft.
But while the Crows were able to snare key forward Riley Thilthorpe in last year’s draft, getting South Adelaide midfield gun Jason Horne is set to be a tricky one.
Touted as the best player of the draft class alongside Collingwood father-son prospect Nick Daicos, Horne could become the elite midfielder who can hit the scoreboard Adelaide is crying out for.
But the problem is Adelaide will most likely have to find a way to stop North Melbourne, who are huge on the youngster, taking him with Pick No. 1 or 2 if Collingwood match a bid for Daicos.
The Crows will likely have a pick around the four or five range, so do they offer the Roos their first round pick from 2021 and 2022 to add another gun SA prospect to their list?
DRAFT DOSSIER: THE INSIDE WORD ON THIS YEAR’S TOP PROSPECTS
Raid Gold Coast
Speaking of gun SA prospects, there is also the matter of Gold Coast pair Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine.
Ever since the two South Australians were taken by the Suns inside the top three of their draft, Crows and Port Adelaide fans have been saying their clubs should be getting ready to bring the two back home.
Well right now both Lukosius and Rankine are out of contract at the Suns at the end of 2022.
Of the two it is understood Lukosius is considered the more gettable and the Crows are watching his situation closely.
Raid Sydney
While the Suns duo are out of contract at the end of 2022, Sydney duo Jordan Dawson and Dylan Stephens have their current deals expiring this year.
It is understood the Crows are deep into Dawson, and could be in a position to take advantage of Sydney’s salary cap issues to land a player who could be the replacement for Brodie Smith.
Stephens has been in and out of the Swans side this season, but is still getting interest from Victorian clubs including reigning premiers Richmond.
It is understood Stephens would be keen on joining Adelaide but the Crows have yet to register their official interest in the former No. 5 pick.
The sticking point with pursuing Dawson and Stephens is that it could seriously dent the Crows draft hand this year, where there are some highly talented South Australian kids.
Make a call on Matt Crouch
Could this be a way the Crows increase their draft hand?
A Malcolm Blight medallist and All-Australian in 2017, the out of contract Crouch now looms as Adelaide’s most interesting list management decision following the raft of Crows re-signings this year.
Issues with his groin following hip surgery in the off-season has meant that Crouch has only played in a pre-season match for the Crows, and is listed as seven to eight weeks away on Adelaide’s injury list.
Despite this, and criticism that he is all too ready to get cheap possessions, Crouch is still a prolific ball-winner in the AFL and at 26 and a restricted free agent come the end of the year he would still have some currency if the Crows decide it’s time for him to leave West Lakes – a year after brother Brad went to St Kilda.
At the same time Crouch is still a member of the Crows leadership group and makes Nicks’ midfield better when he is in there.
So it will be a fascinating one to see what the Crows do.
Make a call on Daniel Talia
Another club champion and All-Australian who has yet to play this year because of injury, Talia’s situation will also be one to watch.
Talia would definitely make the Crows defence better, but Jordon Butts has stood up superbly this year while Fischer McAsey and Josh Worrell have signed new deals and Nick Murray has played some games.
So there are some talls there and few Crows fans would forgive Talia for wanting to have one more crack at winning a flag.
The 29-year-old would be perfect for the Western Bulldogs and perhaps even the final piece for Luke Beveridge’s side.
Several Crows still in limbo after latest re-signings
A pair of promising defenders have signed on at Adelaide, but a number of Crows remain in limbo as the club prepares for a bumper trade period.
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