Reilly O’Brien says Adelaide Crows’ new-look midfield can match it with the AFL’s best

Sid Draper, James Peatling and full-time midfielder Izak Rankine will make the Crows’ 2025 midfield unrecognisable from the side which trotted out in 2024, says Reilly O’Brien.

Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien says the Crows now have a midfield that can “bat deep” like the best teams in the competition with the speed that has been injected into it.

Often labelled as too slow or one dimensional in recent years, the Crows engine room now looks primed to be a big weapon for Matthew Nicks after some targeted inclusions.

Star Izak Rankine played as a full-time midfielder in the pre-season clash against Brisbane last week, bringing his speed and class, while James Peatling has impressed since he came to the club from GWS.

And No. 4 draft pick Sid Draper had a starring cameo in the sub role against the Lions, with the young gun a key part in the Crows’ fourth-quarter comeback to take the win in Brisbane.

“I couldn’t be more impressed by Sid over the summer,” O’Brien said.

Sid Draper was brilliant after coming on in the Crows’ pre-season win over Brisbane. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

“His character, his work ethic and obviously his skills – he’s so explosive, his feet are unbelievable.

“Some guys can’t lay a glove on him at times he is so evasive.

“He certainly adds a lot to our team and our midfield mix, so he’ll certainly get an opportunity at some point.”

O’Brien said the inclusion of Rankine, Peatling and Draper was massive for the Crows’ midfield.

“Adding James Peatling, Izak Rankine is spending more time there and Sid Draper rolling through we are batting deep which is really important for us as a group,” he said.

“The best teams bat deep through the midfield and we have added some different elements there.

“We have some speed and fast feet there.

“They are definitely adding another element to the midfield and we have the guys who bring the grunt in there and those guys bringing that element can take us to another level as a midfield.”

Will Izak Rankine play as a full-time forward this year? Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

Draper was managed by the Crows at training on Monday, along with talisman Taylor Walker with Adelaide planning to have a strong match sim hitout on Friday to try and negate any advantage teams who play in Opening Round could have on them.

O’Brien said he felt the Crows were in a good spot ahead of Round 1 next week, especially from an injury point of view.

“I feel like we are definitely in a great spot especially for the health of the list point of view,” he said.

“This time last year we had guys like Riley Thilthorpe going down and Tex a bit sore but I feel like from an injury point of view we are in a good spot which really sets us up well for the season.”

The Crows vice-captain is out of contract at the end of the season and after being made a life member of the club last month he was hoping to continue his time at West Lakes.

“There are lots of guys going through it every single year so it is just a matter of playing your best footy,” he said.

“I love this club so looking forward to that playing out but just looking forward to playing for the team and putting my best foot forward.

“Definitely hoping for that (to stay) but the focus is just on playing some good footy for the year the rest of it will play out.”