AFL 2022 pre-season: All the Adelaide Crows news and intel
Adelaide’s draft class of 2018 has been heavily scrutinised from the outside. But one early pick is set to take another big step if his form on the track is anything to go by.
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It is only February but Jordan Dawson is already showing why he looms as a boom recruit for the Crows this coming season.
Since arriving via a trade for a first-round draft choice in October, after being chased by both Adelaide clubs, Dawson has been displaying the talent that led to him finishing third in Sydney’s best-and-fairest last year.
His class stood out in match simulation at West Lakes on Friday for what was largely an A team in blue playing against the rest in yellow.
He kicked two goals each side of a short break — the first after hitting the ball at pace and finishing truly on his left boot.
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The second came via a set shot about 40m from goal that floated straight through the middle. That major prompted various Crows teammates to yell: “You don’t miss”, “Does not miss” and “Dead-eye dick”.
Dawson’s foot skills have clearly impressed them this summer.
Playing on a wing and on the ball, the Robe product’s attack on the ball also caught the eye.
He changed direction and ran hard to spoil a Ben Davis marking opportunity that helped his side maintain the footy inside 50.
Teammate Reilly O’Brien said Dawson had blown him away this pre-season.
“I didn’t know how good he was on the inside in terms of tackling and his ability to win the ball, as well as the outside stuff with his kicking,” O’Brien said.
“He’s been awesome and I can’t wait to play with him.”
Here are some other observations from Friday’s session:
Midfield battle
The blue side’s on-ball brigade typically contained combinations of Rory Laird, Ben Keays, Dawson, captain Rory Sloane and Sam Berry in the centre, while the ex-Swan, Smith and skipper also spent time on the wing.
For the yellows, former Giant Jackson Hately had some nice moments in the middle, while Matt Crouch was in the thick of things after missing all of last season with hip and groin problems.
O’Brien rucked for the second-string team and Kieran Strachan for the blues.
It was not necessarily an indication of the big-man pecking order and could have been a way to even up the sides or give Strachan an opportunity to showcase his tap work to the club’s best on-ballers.
Strachan rucked the last two games of 2021 when O’Brien nursed a knee injury.
“He has improved out of sight the last couple of years,” O’Brien said.
“We’re certainly pushing each other and fighting for that spot.
“It’s certainly not a gimme walk-up start — I’ve got to play my best footy and train at a really high level.”
Selection hints?
Blue included all the usual suspects, along with draftee Jake Soligo, Chayce Jones, Billy Frampton, Shane McAdam, Will Hamill, James Rowe and Andrew McPherson.
Taylor Walker, who featured on the weaker team earlier this week, was in the stronger one on Friday.
Playing for the yellows were Darcy Fogarty, Mitch Hinge, Jackson Hately, Nick Murray, Fischer McAsey, Lachie Sholl and Brayden Cook.
One to watch
Much has been made of Adelaide selecting Ned McHenry at pick 16 in the 2018 national draft.
But the pocket rocket appears to have taken another step in his development over summer, shining in the match simulation.
“Neddy’s probably the one for me that’s almost stood out for me the most this pre-season,” O’Brien said.
“He’s absolutely flying.
“I think he really found his feet late last year, started playing some good AFL footy and understood his role.
“He’s taken his fitness to another level, is being clean with the ball and been great.
“He’ll be nipping around this year, annoying opposition teams, getting a lot of the ball and having a real impact.
“He’s certainly one to watch this year.”
After featuring in 21 matches in 2021, McHenry’s leadership has been hailed internally during pre-season.
On the field he is making good decisions, not just with the ball but without it.
All while maintaining his constant energy and loud voice getting between contests, mainly playing at half-forward.
As McHenry builds nicely into his career, those outside West Lakes that have already marked his cards are starting to look like they have done so prematurely.
Injury updates
Tom Doedee is not a lock to play in next week’s internal trial as he continues his recovery from a head knock.
Nine days after his concussion at training, Doedee jogged along the sidelines during the match simulation.
Adelaide plays its intra-club match at West Lakes next Friday and the defender may sit out or feature on reduced game time.
Elliott Himmelberg was also running, a week after tweaking his hamstring.
Lachlan Murphy, who had neck surgery in December, looked to be progressing well, running and kicking on the sidelines.
Injury-hit Crow cut as leadership group unveiled
Two strong seasons at Adelaide has helped Ben Keays earn a spot in the club’s leadership group.
Keays, who joined the Crows as a rookie from Brisbane ahead of the 2020 campaign, was promoted on Friday, along with ruckman Reilly O’Brien.
They join incumbents Brodie Smith, Tom Doedee and Rory Sloane, who will captain the team for a fourth season.
Matt Crouch, who missed all of last season with hip and groin issues, was left out of the group.
Players had to nominate trademarks they wanted from their leaders and identify those who best typified them.
“We are blessed at this footy club to have a number of leaders within our playing group and the addition of both Reilly and Ben to the leadership group reflects the growth of our young team and the exciting direction we are heading,” Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.
“Importantly for us, they prioritise others but they also lead by example on game day, by the elite standards they set at training and by a commitment to make others around them better.
“Both bring their own unique style to complement the leaders we already have and who are continuing in their roles – Brodie, Tom and our captain Rory, who have all done a fantastic job with our young group in recent seasons.”
Nicks said Crouch had endured a difficult 12 months but was having a pleasing pre-season.
“We want to give him every opportunity to get himself right and perform for us because he is renowned within the club for his outstanding on-field leadership, and we expect that will continue,” he said.
Training intel: Crows trial new onball, wing setup
Could Adelaide start Round 1 with an entirely new group of wingmen?
The Crows’ 2022 pre-season has been characterised by a new level of physicality among the young group.
And Monday’s session was no different, with the Crows going full bore in match simulation.
Here’s the latest intel from West Lakes.
SEEDSMAN’S SLOW PROGRESS
In a positive sign, Paul Seedsman was doing some decent level intensity running, and even some kicking.
The worrying news for Crows fans should be that nearly two months after suffering concussion prior to players going on their Christmas break, Seedsman still isn’t able to engage in contract training and has to wear sunglasses when outside.
It is a cruel blow for Seedsman. who had arguably a career-best season in 2021 and recently got married.
Crows leadership group member Tom Doedee, who himself is in the concussion protocols after a collision last week but is said to be recovering well, said last month there was concern about Seedsman’s lingering symptoms.
And while the Crows are no doubt being cautious with Seedsman, and he has made progress in recent weeks, the former Collingwood dasher still having to wear sunglasses outside nearly two months on from the concussion surely must be a worry.
Shane McAdam, who has also been in the concussion protocols this pre-season, participated in the full session and looks to be fine.
NEW WING DUO?
With Seedsman on the sidelines, there looks to be a bit of a change as to who fills the Crows wing positions.
When the group split into match sim Lachie Sholl – who started the 2021 season strongly and earned a Rising Star nomination – was on the “weaker” blue side.
For the stronger white side Wayne Milera and Mitch Hinge, both returning from long-term injuries, were on the outside.
Milera also rotated on occasions through the middle in another positive sign as he makes his back from basically two years without footy.
Hinge got game time in Round 1 last season after moving across from Brisbane but dislocated his shoulder three times against Geelong.
Both are looking good chances for Round 1.
SLOANE STILL THE MIDFIELD RANGER
In a coaches Q&A with The AdvertiserAdelaide senior coach Matthew Nicks said he had brief conversations with Crows captain Rory Sloane about where he might play in 2022 – hinting that he could spend time at half-forward.
But for the first centre bounce at match sim it was Sloane, Rory Laird, Ben Keays, Harry Schoenberg and Jordan Dawson along with Reilly O’Brien in the Crows midfield.
Dawson playing on the ball is looking likely, with the boom recruit from Sydney continuing to spend time on the ball during Monday’s session.
They were up against Kieran Strachan, Matt Crouch, Sam Berry, Luke Pedlar, Jackson Hately and even Sholl at times in the battle for midfield supremacy.
Crouch should find his way into the Crows’ first-choice midfield soon, while Berry has put on some size and Pedlar cracked into tackles like he usually does.
ROUND 1 BOLTER?
Josh Rachele has been turning heads at West Lakes so far this pre-season.
But with the No.6 draft pick not on the track on Monday it was a fellow draftee who impressed in his small forward role.
After a break so players could rehydrate. No.36 pick Jake Soligo played in the stronger white team and impressed.
With Lachie Murphy still recovering from a bulging disc it was Soligo, Ned McHenry and James Rowe lining up as the small forwards for the stronger side for the second half.
Rachele will still be right in the mix for Round 1 when he returns, but Soligo might give coaches something to think about.
McASEY BACK
Outside of Murphy and Seedsman, there is a pretty clean bill of health for the Crows.
Brodie Smith missed Monday’s session with illness but No.6 pick from the 2019 draft Fischer McAsey took part in match sim.
McAsey suffered a stress fracture in his femur prior to Christmas, but he was able to join in with drills and the second half of the match sim on Monday.
He was sent straight down back with Billy Frampton for the blues to deal with Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty.
KING RILEY
Given he is suspended for the first three games of the season, Taylor Walker was in the blue side on Monday.
And with Elliott Himmelberg (hamstring) confined to running laps Thilthorpe was almost one-out as the Crows spearhead.
Fans should be very excited about what Thilthorpe could do this year, with the 201cm forward moving extremely well and taking some impressive grabs.
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Originally published as AFL 2022 pre-season: All the Adelaide Crows news and intel
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