Buckenara: Adelaide should look to recruit Essendon’s McDonald-Tipungwuti, Fantasia and Francis
Recruiting guru Gary Buckenara says the Crows should look to overhaul their ageing list with bold moves for Essendon’s Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Orazio Fantasia and Aaron Francis.
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Adelaide should make bold plays for the out-of-contract Bomber Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, his South Australian teammates Orazio Fantasia and Aaron Francis and a package deal for the Hill brothers, AFL recruiting guru Gary Buckenara says.
The former Hawthorn list manager says the Crows should also entertain offers for players such as Tom Doedee, Josh Jenkins, Bryce Gibbs and potentially both the Crouch brothers in an attempt to add speed into their midfield and revamp their floundering forward line.
Despite the Crows horror run of form of late, three loses out of their last four, it looks extremely likely that senior coach Don Pyke will keep his job at West Lakes — and oversee a big shake-up of Adelaide’s list.
Buckenara, who as Hawthorn list manager spearheaded the transformation of the Hawks into an AFL powerhouse, told The Advertiser the Crows needed to fix two issues that have been hurting them in 2019.
“Their problem to me is what’s gone wrong up forward, that affects what’s coming out but what is coming in as well,” he said.
“The midfield has not been what it has in their successful years, they are lacking that bit of leg speed.
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“You have the two Crouch brothers (Brad and Matt), at their best they are really good players but their pace seems to be a worry. Rory (Sloane) is not slow but he is not super quick as well.
“So they need to add some pace in there and get that back six more involved.
“But I think their forward line is the main issue, I don’t think they envisaged how much losing Charlie Cameron would hurt them but also Tex (Taylor Walker), Eddie (Betts) and Josh Jenkins have been down on form and those are they guys who the Crows would have thought would be the key pins there.”
Buckenara said when fit Adelaide had a good back six, saying Daniel Talia, the injured Tom Doedee, Kyle Hartigan along with Paul Seedsman, Rory Laird and Brodie Smith running off half back can be dangerous.
But he said the Crows needed to reinvest, with their young talent dropping off after Wayne Milera, Darcy Fogarty, Chayce Jones, Reilly O’Brien, Jordan Gallucci and Lachlan Murphy.
“They get Carlton’s pick, whatever that may be, but in this draft any top 10 pick will be a good player,” he said.
“I would look at getting some kids in for outside speed but that will probably only help you in three years.”
He said the Crows should also look at a trio of Essendon players and some brothers from Fremantle.
“They will probably look at Adelaide type guys if they go for trades or free agency, (Aaron Francis) could help out back, I think (Orazio) Fantasia is the sort of player they need — a lively forward.
“They should be in the market for Tipunwuti … that’s the sort of player they need.
“Brad Hill is another one that comes to mind, he probably wants to go to Melbourne but you have to ask the manager … his run and outside skill would help Adelaide.
“Stephen and Brad want to go as a package, Stephen is probably at the twilight of his career but he could come off a half back flank and use the ball well and Brad could be that gut runner.
“That’s exactly what Adelaide are missing.”
The Crows have a number of players who are out of contract at the end of the season.
This includes the former Category B rookie duo of Alex Keath and Hugh Greenwood, who have other clubs circling as the Crows hold out on offering them the big contracts they are asking for.
Keath has had a breakout year, but if he did go young defender Tom Doedee — who suffered an ACL rupture in Round 1 this year — is tipped to slot straight into the Adelaide defence.
But Buckanara said if the Crows are to be bold either at the trade table or in the stacked draft, Doedee could be a player worth dangling in front of other clubs.
“As far as who you move on, it’s up to what the market makes of them. If you want a first round pick you have to move on your better players,” he said.
“Everyone wants to give away nothing and get something back, realistically that doesn’t happen.
“Which player will get them another first round pick? You go through the list and Tom Doedee has done a knee, he will be a good player, but maybe a Victorian club gives you a first round pick for him.
“He’s done all right Alex Keath but he won’t get you a first round pick, he will get you a second or third round pick.
“He is in between size … is he a (Jeremy) McGovern, is he a (Tom) Barras, is he a (Alex) Rance all of whom would get you a first round pick? No he isn’t but Doedee might be, he has had a knee reconstruction so who knows what will happen with this knee so while he has some currency maybe you look at it.”
Buckenara said Jenkins and Bryce Gibbs, who have been in and out of the Crows side this year, could be an option for a team like Gold Coast — who need experience — who might be willing to give up a high draft pick while the Crouch brothers also could be interesting prospects.
“They might trade both of them, they might go as a package deal,” he said.
“Brad has been a bit injury prone, he is probably the one, Matt is a bit slow again he doesn’t help the pace again but he is a ball winner.
“They are the decisions they need to make, you don’t want to give up your young players but there are areas of the team where they need to improve.”
Brad is being chased by St Kilda, while the Crows coaching staff have said they don’t want to trade the Crouch brothers when asked this year.
WHO STAYS, WHO GOES FOR CROWS?
Simeon Thomas-Wilson runs the rule over the Adelaide Football Club’s 2019 AFL list:
Taylor Walker (co-captain)
Has been under pressure after sub-par weeks but kicked three goals against Carlton to show glimpses of his best. Isn’t making the impact that he has been known for but is still an influential player and the Crows need his leadership.
Rory Sloane (co-captain)
After an inconsistent 2018 Sloane has been back to his best this year. Locked away until 2023, which is good for the Crows because he is still an elite player on his day even though he is approaching 30. Maybe could even be made sole captain next year to let Walker concentrate on his game.
Hugh Greenwood
One of those dropped for the Carlton game and the Crows arguably missed his contested presence in the midfield as Patrick Cripps monstered them at stoppages. Out of contract at the end of the season and attracting interest from other AFL clubs, Greenwood looks likely to leave West Lakes at the end of the season and will be a loss.
Brad Crouch
Probably Adelaide’s best player this year after a horror 2018 with injuries. There have been suggestions that he should be put on the trade table to inject leg speed in the Crows midfield, and St Kilda have declared its interest, but Crouch is a prolific ball winner and should be kept.
Riley Knight
Out of contract at the end of the season. Is back in the side and would be good for depth but would Crows fans be too devastated if he is not at West Lakes next year?
Have a look if there is interest, would be a good depth player if not.
Josh Jenkins
Still has a contract until 2022 but was dropped to the SANFL earlier this year. Won his way back into the team but has only kicked 22 goals this season. Crows might be able to get something at the trade table for him.
Matt Crouch
Is it either him or his brother Brad for the Crows? The Crouch brothers are both ball magnets but do lack leg speed. Was poor against Carlton. Would be a big move if Crows decided to trade him but it very unlikely.
Bryce Gibbs
What do you do with a problem like Gibbs? After its public courting, and finally getting the star Carlton midfielder — for two first-round draft picks and on a lucrative contract — the Adelaide homecoming has turned sour for both parties with Gibbs only playing eight games this year and currently stuck in the SANFL with two years on his deal to run. But he had 40 disposals against his old side Glenelg last time out and either the Crows play him regularly or see what they can get.
Jordan Gallucci
Has speed which the Crows need. Could make a wing spot his own.
Jake Kelly
Has returned to form in 2019 and showed that he is key to Adelaide’s backline. But is out of contract and has admitted he has missed Melbourne.
Myles Poholke
Has played 11 games in two years. Should get one more year to show that he can crack the side on a regular basis.
Paul Seedsman
Looked to be out for the season when he was injured against Geelong earlier this year, but he made a quick recovery from that shocking knee injury. Another that offers the speed Adelaide sorely needs and should be kept.
Daniel Talia
An All-Australian one-on-one defender. At 27-years-old Crows need to keep Talia.
David Mackay
Only missed four games this year, but there are youngsters at the Crows that arguably should be playing ahead of him in that wing position. Been a great servant for the Crows but out of contract at the end of the year and could retire.
Kyle Hartigan
Ever present this season, provides the Crows with a good option in defence and if Keath leaves would become even more important.
Luke Brown
Often flies under the radar but consistent and reliable for the Crows. Should be approaching prime.
Tyson Stengle
You have to feel for Stengle a bit. Has played two games but been dropped straight after each of them. Needs an extended run in the side.
Eddie Betts
Dropping him was Don Pyke’s hardest decision he has made and there is no doubt that Eddie has not shone this year like he has in previous ones. But he is still Adelaide’s leading goalkicker and can provide genius moments of skill. Deserves one more year with the Crows.
Chayce Jones
Got games at the start of the season but hasn’t played a senior game since Round 10. As Crows have struggled with forward pressure it is surprising that Jones hasn’t gotten another chance this year so far.
Rory Atkins
Can break lines well at his best but hasn’t reached that enough this season.
Andy Otten
Another great servant for the Crows whose contract is up at the end of the season. Has done some coaching this year on the side and it would not be surprising to see him focus on that.
Shane McAdam
Taken a while to get up to speed for the Crows at SANFL level but has looked dangerous in recent weeks. Could be a good option in the forward line next year.
Sam Jacobs
Ideally he would stick around and provide back-up for Reilly O’Brien, reaching his 200th for the Crows. But out of contract and few would forgive Sauce if he looked to go to another club to play first team footy again.
Ned McHenry
Another for the future, there is a lot of excitement around McHenry but he hasn’t had the chance to show it. That should change next year.
Richard Douglas
Back in the side after starring at SANFL level. Another who is out of contract and time could be up.
Tom Lynch
With Adelaide’s woes up forward the Crows need him more than ever. Has a massive impact on the side.
Rory Laird
One of the competition’s guns off half back. A star for Adelaide.
Wayne Milera
The Crows’ future star. Been injected into the midfield to provide some pace and X-factor but ideally would come off the half back with his speed and ball use.
Darcy Fogarty
Will play his first AFL game of 2019 against St Kilda. There is genuine excitement around Fogarty. Now is the time to back him and let him realise his potential.
Brodie Smith
Missed the majority of last season but has shown why he is an All-Australian upon his return. Has been played higher up the ground recently and that looks to have added another element to his game.
Elliott Himmelberg
Hasn’t set the world on fire during his appetences this year, but played every game during the Crows’ best run of the year. Still has time to develop.
Will Hamill
A versatile defender with a lot of speed, he could be one for the future.
Andrew McPherson
Had a wretched run with injury, the defender deserves the chance to see how he goes with his body at 100 per cent.
Lachlan Sholl
Another promising defender who should be kept around to see what he can do.
Tom Doedee
Recruiting guru Gary Buckenara says he could be a player the Crows could get a good bounty for at the trade table, especially since he did his ACL this year, but if Keath goes Doedee becomes a vital player for the Crows to keep.
Ben Davis
Came in for the match in Geelong but was soon out of the team. Deserves another chance to show his worth.
Alex Keath
Having a breakout year for the Crows, playing himself into All-Australian discussions. But there looks to be an impasse between him and the club as to a new contract and rival clubs are circling. Like Greenwood it is starting to look likely that Keath will leave at the end of the year when his contract expires.
Reilly O’Brien
Waited for years for his chance and when Jacobs went down, took it with both hands earning himself a new contract. Has all but ended the Crows need for Brodie Grundy, and could soon be the third best ruck in the competition.
Cameron Ellis-Yolmen
On a rookie contract, but the stats this year show the Crows do better when he is in the side. If the Crows can keep him then they should, especially if Greenwood goes.
Patrick Wilson
Tore it up at SANFL level this season but has looked shaky at AFL level. Another out of contract at the end of the year. Could be depth option.
Paul Hunter
Hasn’t played a game for the Crows. Delisted last year before getting a rookie contract. Again out of contract at the end of the season and this could be it.
Jordon Butts
Has become an integral part of the Crows backline in the SANFL and has people at the club excited about his prospects. Could become a very good tall defender for the Crows.
Lachlan Murphy
Played every game for the Crows this year. Gives the Crows some tenacity in the forward line with his pressure and off-the-ball work, a starting spot is his to lose.
Kieran Strachan
Been adjusting to a new role up forward, Crows should see how he develops further.