The light at the end of a very long tunnel is suddenly shining, with Adelaide’s rebuild clicking hard into overdrive in 2023. Some truly sizzling performances – most notably big wins over Port Adelaide, Carlton and St Kilda – have caught the eye, convincing some experts to even tip the Crows to extend their season into September.
The Showdown victory sparked a four-game winning streak and the finest month of football Adelaide have produced in six years. In fact, if not for poor goalkicking in rounds one, two and seven, the Crows could have opened the season with 7-0 springboard. But since the heart-breaking round seven loss to Collingwood, the Crows form has been up and down.
The general: Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson.Credit: Getty Images/Steve Kiprillis
Greater purpose and precision moving the ball forward has been the key to the Crows’ rise.
After 11 games they were the sixth-highest scoring team in the league, while ranking 14th for inside-50s – which tells us, that aside from those inaccuracy issues, this is a team that finishes its work efficiently.
Piloted by captain Jordan Dawson and the unrelenting Rory Laird, Adelaide’s midfield now uses the ball cleaner than it has in recent seasons, firing the footy quickly to the competition’s most watchable forward line.
Damaging aerial targets Taylor Walker, Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thilthorpe and ground dynamos Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele are all match-winners on their day.
Adelaide’s back line remains a work in progress. And there remains a clear gap between the Crows’ cracking form at Adelaide Oval and some indifferent performances interstate.
Given the strides they’ve made, it’s easy to forget the Crows have the second-youngest list in the competition. There will be further blips ahead. But their darkest days are behind them.
Who’s hot?
Jordan Dawson was one of the recruits of 2022, and has been even better in 2023. Dawson has stepped up to become an influential captain, directing traffic during matches. He has been instrumental in driving Adelaide’s meteoric improvement, on and off the field. Sitting comfortably in the conversation of the best players in the competition, Dawson uses his precise left boot to damaging effect, ranking among the AFL’s leaders in kicks and inside-50s. He’s a star.
Roru Laird doing what he does best; burrowing the ball out of a pack for the Crows.Credit: AFL Photos
Rory Laird already stands alongside legendary trio Mark Ricciuto, Andrew McLeod and Simon Goodwin with three wins of the Crows’ best and fairest award, but is a serious chance to claim a record-breaking fourth gold jacket after launching yet another ultra-consistent campaign. At his burrowing best, he is Adelaide’s midfield heartbeat. The one-time rookie draftee continues to rank among the competition leaders in tackles, clearances, disposals and contested possessions.
Often maligned by Crows supporters since being picked up with the ninth pick in the 2018 draft, Chayce Jones has silenced his critics. The Tasmanian speedster wasn’t an instant success at the top level, struggling to impact games in his early days as a forward/onballer, but in 2023 he has found his niche as a wingman. Adelaide’s fast ball movement suits Jones’ frenetic style.
Elliott Himmelberg has struggled to cement his spot in the Crows team.Credit: Getty Images
Who needs to lift?
The top tackler in the AFL last year, Sam Berry has been virtually unsighted in 2023. After firmly establishing himself as Laird’s tough-nut midfield heir apparent, Berry’s patchy form has placed him on the outer. The Crows’ midfield is now running deeper, making it more difficult for fringe players to get a crack, so Berry needs to get back to racking up monstrous tackle numbers in the SANFL to put his name in contention.
Contracted until the end of 2024 – which will be his eighth year on the list – Elliott Himmelberg has yet to crack the 50-game milestone and remains an enigma. Versatile enough to play roles in attack, defence and ruck, Himmelberg hasn’t quite been able to find the form needed to cement his spot. Adelaide boasts a plethora of tall forwards, but Himmelberg, who has booted just one goal this season, needs to do more to make life tougher for the selectors.
After playing every AFL game for the Crows in 2021, Harry Schoenberg has spent more time in the SANFL over the past two years than he would have liked. The emerging midfield bull finds himself in danger of being pigeonholed as an injury sub, employed exclusively for bursts off the bench. Schoenberg has only made four senior appearances this season with minimal impact.
Coach’s box
Matthew Nicks has swatted aside whispers he may not be the man for the next phase of the rebuild with an impressive season in the box to date.
After spending the past three years stemming some severe bleeding, Nicks has added crisp ball movement and flair to the mix, turning a previously stodgy outfit into one that plays an attacking, easy-to-watch brand.
The Crows’ quantum leap hasn’t been all Nicks’ doing, but the coach deserves a lion’s share of the credit. Nicks’ decision to utilise new captain and premier ball user Jordan Dawson in the midfield has proved a masterstroke, while youngsters Josh Rachele and Jake Soligo have also shown an ability to break open games when rotated onto the ball.
The Crows’ skills have improved over the summer and they remain a high-pressure side, especially at Adelaide Oval.
The road ahead
Round 13 v West Coast at Adelaide Oval
Round 14 Bye
Round 15 v Collingwood at MCG
Round 16 v North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval
Round 17 v Essendon at Marvel Stadium
Round 18 v GWS at Adelaide Oval
Round 19 v Melbourne at MCG
Round 20 v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Round 21 v Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval
Round 22 v Brisbane at the Gabba
Round 23 v Sydney at Adelaide Oval
Round 24 v West Coast at Optus Stadium
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