AFL off-season news: All the latest from Crows and Port ahead of the draft

Stephen Rowe has described James’ delisting as the ‘worst day’ of his son’s life. The outspoken Adelaide media identity opens up on the brutal Crows exit.

The father of axed Crow James Rowe says he saw the delisting coming.

The Crows announced on Saturday that along with Ben Davis and mid-season draftee Brett Turner, Rowe would not be offered a new contract.

The delisting of Rowe, 23, came after he played 36 games for the Crows following his selection as a mature-age draftee in 2020.

But the squeeze on list spots at West Lakes, and the addition of Izak Rankine to the Crows’ small forward stocks, meant Adelaide let go of the fan favourite.

Rowe’s dad Stephen, who hosts the sports show on FIVEaa after playing 29 games for Adelaide in the 1990s – alongside 185 including a premiership and best-and-fairest at Norwood – said he would keep his “gunpowder dry” about his son getting delisted.

James Rowe, and dad Stephen after the 2020 draft. Picture: Mike Burton

“He loves Nicksy, he loves the club,” Stephen said on FIVEaa on Monday morning.

“He has been in a unique position my Jimmy, he has a boofhead dad who hosts the sports show and calls all of his games.

“The pressure that came with that, and one thing I am proud of him is that he handled it very well.

“He maybe had coaches and teammates questioning that but I think he handled it really well so for that I‘m forever grateful.

“I‘m not going to get on air today, and people expect me to, to talk about his exit. He has to do that and I’m not going to say anything before he does.

“So out of respect for my boy I‘m going to keep my gunpowder dry, he knows how he was treated so that is up to him, not up to a boofhead dad who has a media platform.

“I think he is good enough from a parent point of view, maybe he is not their DNA and excess to needs.”

Rowe has previously been linked with the Western Bulldogs, and will be hoping to continue his career as a delisted free agent.

Rowe celebrates a goal against the Saints this year. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Stephen said while the delisting was a big blow, he was hoping to reflect more on the good times when the Crows drafted his son with pick 38 in 2020.

“It was funny, it was an emotional weekend in just under two years ago he had the best day of his life, drafted by the club that he absolutely loves, and then the worst day of his life being sacked by the club he loves,” he said.

“And I get it, he is probably excess to needs and it is a tough game the AFL.

“But one thing for sure, as a family, it was a bit emotional for Jodie and the girls because I saw it coming.

“We will be forever grateful for that best day of his life and that first game he played against Geelong, we will remember the good things rather than the bad things.

“I think they‘ve known for a while that they were going to clip him, but that is footy, that is the big wide world and you have to back in the club to make the right calls.

“I guess if you look at it (Josh) Rachele last year, (Izak) Rankine this year, (Lachie) Murphy and little Neddy (Ned McHenry) are probably better pressure players.

“Tariek (Newchurch) I love that kid he has some serious wheels and Rory (Sloane) will probably play that high half-forward type of role that I guess wasn‘t in Jimmy’s DNA he is a close to goal type of footballer.

“For me I get it, as sad as it is but I get it.”

Turner might be redrafted in next month’s rookie draft.

Gone in 135 days: Crows make surprise list cuts

– Matt Turner

Adelaide has axed three players – forward James Rowe, mid-season recruit Brett Turner and defender Ben Davis.

The out-of-contract trio was told in the past 24 hours they would not be receiving new deals.

Rowe, 23, kicked 27 goals in 36 games across two seasons after being drafted from Woodville-West Torrens with pick 38 in 2020.

Gold Coast young gun Izak Rankine’s arrival during the trade period would not have helped his chances of being retained, adding to the Crows’ small forward stocks.

Turner, 25, was drafted from Glenelg just four months ago and did not feature at AFL level.

He had a foot injury when Adelaide recruited him and did not play his first SANFL game until July, finishing with 10 for the Crows in total.

Adelaide has told Turner it will consider redrafting him as a rookie next month.

Mid-season draftee Brett Turner has been delisted by the Crows. Picture: Dean Martin

Forward James Rowe has also been told he won’t be getting a new contract. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Davis, 25, played 11 games in six seasons, including five this year.

Adelaide drafted him from New South Wales with pick 75 in 2016.

Crows list manager Justin Reid said they were difficult decisions.

“They are popular members of our playing group,” Reid said.

“James and Ben have become much-loved, hardworking and reliable players and while Brett has only been with us a short time, he also earnt the respect of his teammates and coaches by overcoming injury and playing an important role in our SANFL finals campaign.

“Each of them has made a valuable contribution to our club over their respective journeys, and we wish them well with whatever comes next.”

Adelaide has now had five players drop off its list, adding to Luke Brown (retired) and Billy Frampton (traded to Collingwood).

The Crows have given category-B rookies James Borlase and Tariek Newchurch one-year extensions.

Adelaide has picks 23 and 46 in next month’s national draft.

Originally published as AFL off-season news: All the latest from Crows and Port ahead of the draft