Andrew Capel looks at eight reasons why Adelaide will improve in 2018

THE Crows saved one of their worst performances of the year for the big dance at the MCG and it all ended in heartbreak. Andrew Capel looks at eight reasons the Crows can go one better in 2018.

Taylor Walker celebrates a goal. Picture: Sarah Reed

ADELAIDE was within one win of breaking a 19-year premiership drought this year.

After claiming just their second McLelland Trophy as minor premier — and first since 2005 — the Crows then saved one of their worst performances for last, failing to bring the heat in the grand final and falling to Richmond by eight goals.

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But coach Don Pyke’s side remains firmly in the premiership window.

Here are eight reasons the Crows can go one better in 2018.

Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane after losing the Grand Final. Picture: Sarah Reed

1. IT NEARLY HAPPENED THIS YEAR

They went close, damn close. Dominant home finals wins against Greater Western Sydney and Geelong saw the Crows — who won their only premierships in 1997 and 1998 — start a Grand Final as favourite for the first time. But they, cruelly, did not bring their A-game on the biggest stage of all and have to live with the consequences.

The club, which has remarkably survived a series of off-field tragedies, including the death of former senior coach Phil Walsh in 2015, to become a force, has lost key defender Jake Lever (Melbourne) and speedy forward Charlie Cameron (Brisbane) but recruited well.

2. BRYCE GIBBS

Adelaide was shattered when its first father-son hope Gibbs was ruled ineligible to be drafted by it in 2006, leaving him to be snapped up by Carlton at pick one. The Crows waited nine long years to make a strong move to lure home the son of dual Glenelg premiership player Ross Gibbs at the end of last year.

A failed trade — when the Crows refused to hand over prime draft picks — saw the club cop plenty of criticism but this year it finally got its man. Gibbs, who at age 28 is in the prime of his career, gives Adelaide more star power while his versatility — he can play in the midfield, forward or back — will give coach Don Pyke more options.

New Crow Bryce Gibbs at training. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Wayne Milera is set to replace Charlie Cameron. Picture: Sarah Reed

3. ATTACK FORCE

Cameron is gone but the rest of Adelaide’s powerful scoring unit remains intact. And that is significant. The Crows last season led the AFL in scoring with a home-and-away season average of 110 points a game and had a competition-best eight players kick 20 or more goals, led by pocket rocket Eddie Betts’ 55.

Sadly for Adelaide it saved its lowest score of the season for the big dance, kicking just 8.12 (60) against the Tigers. With 2015 first-round draft pick Wayne Milera poised to take Cameron's role, the biggest change in attack for the Crows is forward line coach David Teague, who joined Carlton, being replaced by former Port Adelaide star and ex-Sydney assistant Josh Francou.

4. THE CROUCH BROTHERS

Brad Crouch was touted as the better of the two Ballarat boys but his younger brother Matt is the first of the pair to win a club champion award at Adelaide. Matt, 22, was a revelation in 2017, leading the club in disposals with 825 at a club-record average of 33 and making the All-Australian team.

Brad, 23, played a career-high 20 games and averaged 28 disposals. Together they form one of the AFL’s most dynamic one-two midfield punches. And they should only get better.

Matt and Brad Crouch at the Grand Final parade. Picture: Sarah Reed

5. DEPTH

The Crows have plenty. While playmaking halfback Brodie Smith will miss most of the season following a knee reconstruction in September, there are several contenders to fill his void. These include Gibbs, ex-Kangaroos running machine Sam Gibson and 2015 first-round draft pick Tom Doedee, who has big raps on him.

Milera, Hugh Greenwood, Alex Keath, Riley Knight and Paul Seedsman are all capable of playing more games next season.

6. RORY SLOANE

One of the AFL’s most competitive players, Sloane is Adelaide’s heart-starter. He is the player opposition clubs tag because of his effectiveness and ability to just will himself to the contest.

Struggled to shake taggers midway through last season but finished the year strongly, despite having his appendix removed prior to the finals. The question is whether the looming free agent’s contract status affects his form.

Adelaide’s top draft pick Darcy Fogarty.

7. THE KID

The player Adelaide most wanted at pick No. 12 at the draft fell into its lap. Homegrown product, Glenelg’s Darcy Fogarty, is physically ready to play straight away and gives the Crows a big-bodied player who can add an important dimension to its midfield.

The 18-year-old, strongly built at 192cm and 92kg, cut his teeth as a forward but is modelling his game on star Carlton on-baller Patrick Cripps, who is a similar size. “I like the contested stuff and think I can play in the middle of the ground and then go forward and have an impact,’’ Fogarty said.

8. FINALS EXPERIENCE

The Crows’ time is now. They have been knocking on the premiership door for three years and believe they should have won the flag this year.

Gibbs gives them an injection of class and experience and they should have learned plenty from their poor grand final performance when they simply weren't tough enough. They should be ready to make amends.