Six AFL stars Crows and Power should target in 2025 off-season

Both South Australian clubs have been aggressive in adding to their lists across the past few years, so why should that stop in 2025? Simeon Thomas-Wilson highlights the names to watch.

There are some star names out there for the Power and Crows to chase. Pic: Michael Klein

Yet again in the off-season both South Australian clubs were busy in adding to their lists.

Adelaide said it would be aggressive and the Crows were, bringing SA boy Alex Neal-Bullen back home, as well as landing GWS duo Isaac Cumming and James Peatling.

Port Adelaide’s big move was bringing Jack Lukosius back to SA from the Gold Coast, as well bringing in Collingwood small forward Joe Richards and Lukosius’ teammate from the Suns Rory Atkins.

Both clubs resume pre-season training on Thursday and while a ball of the 2025 season hasn’t been kicked in anger those behind the scenes at West Lakes and Alberton are always planning on how to improve their respective lists.

These are some of the players the Crows and Power should target as they continue to be aggressive off the field.

Jack Lukosius was the Power’s big recruit. Picture: Port Adelaide

James Peatling made his way to the Crows in the trade period. Picture: Ben Clark

NASIAH WANGANEEN-MILERA (ST KILDA)

The silky smooth half-back had plenty of fans at Alberton but the Glenelg product was selected by the Saints just one pick ahead of what the Power were able to trade up to – Port took Josh Sinn – in the 2021 draft. Since then the Power have remained interested in the nephew of club legend Gavin Wanganeen and with Dan Houston going to Collingwood in the off-season it is expected Port will make a big move for the out of contract Wanganeen-Milera who had a career best year in 2024 and is primed to take the next step towards stardom in 2025.

Wanganeen-Milera has ties to the Power. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

SAM DRAPER (ESSENDON)

The Crows are on the lookout for a ruckman. It is hardly a secret with Reilly O’Brien and understudy Kieran Strachan both to turn 30 this year and both out of contract at the end of the season. The Crows were spurned by Gold Coast’s Ned Moyle previously, while North Melbourne selected South Adelaide ruckman Taylor Goad a pick before Adelaide could in the 2023 draft so Justin Reid hasn’t been able to fill this spot on the list so far. Draper, 26 and a restricted free agent at the end of this year, looks to be the No. 1 target for the Crows at this moment as they look to bring the Reynella product home.

How would this move go down with the Crows’ fans? Picture: Mark Stewart

LUKE DAVIES-UNIACKE (NORTH MELBOURNE)

The North Melbourne star is set to be the most sought after player this year as he continues to not sign a new contract to remain at the struggling Kangaroos. St Kilda are set to go hard at the gun midfielder with its big war chest, but the Crows have also been tipped to throw the kitchen sink at Davies-Uniacke. After going hard at Sydney star Errol Gulden and Melbourne premiership player Clayton Oliver in recent years could Davies-Uniacke be the big midfield fish the Crows land?

FINN CALLAGHAN (GWS)

Adelaide was nuts about the Sandringham Dragons prospect in his draft year, trying to move up to No. 2 to select the big bodied midfielder but GWS held firm. Still unsigned beyond this year keeping the young gun will be a priority for the Giants in 2025 but there are plenty of clubs lining up for the Victorian who has shades of Marcus Bontempelli. After snaring a couple of Giants this off-season, could the Crows get another player to swap NSW for SA? Callaghan is a bayside boy so St Kilda will go hard and could be in the box seat but you have to ask the question.

Finn Callaghan was on the Crows’ radar at the draft. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

LEEK ALEER (GWS)

The former member of the Crows’ Next Generation Academy has some good and even sublime moments across his 12 games for GWS in the last two years. The problem for Aleer is that the Giants’ backline is one of the hardest to break into in the league. This is why even though the out of contract Aleer has decided to stick it out for one more year rival clubs believe he could be lured out of western Sydney. And you can see why rival clubs are so interested in him. Aleer has huge potential as an intercepting defender standing at 194cm. The Power’s rock down back Aliir Aliir will turn 31 this year, could Aleer be his long term replacement at Alberton?

Aleer impressed in limited time. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

KYSAIAH PICKETT (MELBOURNE)

Port Adelaide has long been interested in the Melbourne premiership excitement machine, who has ties to Alberton via his uncle Byron. The Power made a play for him before he signed his current contract at the Demons and it looked as if it was going to make another for him last year as a result of the off-field turbulence at Melbourne. If Pickett did decide he wants to leave the Demons then it is likely that a club in Western Australia would be his preference but the Power would have to get in the race.

Originally published as Six AFL stars Crows and Power should target in 2025 off-season