Track Watch: The latest pre-season scouting notes and news from Adelaide Crows

Not only is the action heating up on the track at the Crows, the selection battle is well and truly underway, with one rising star acknowledging the pressure is on for spots at Adelaide.

The pressure is on for spots at the Crows. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Adelaide’s squad is feeling the heat to earn their spots as the club’s recruits and return of key players from injury ensure more difficult selection debates.

The Crows’ added depth is perhaps most notable at half-back, where Rory Laird has switched from the midfield, Isaac Cumming has been touted to play since crossing from GWS, Wayne Milera has resumed from injury and Brodie Smith is seeking to re-establish himself.

Even after featuring in 44 of a possible 46 games the past two seasons and being part of the club’s leadership group last year, Hinge was not feeling secure in his position.

“There’s pressure for spots everywhere,” Hinge said.

Wayne Milera continues to make strides in his return. Picture: Dean Martin

“I’d be silly to not take that on and go ‘how can I get better and not get comfortable?’

“I don’t think I’ve ever got comfortable – I spent a lot of time in the twos early in my career (at Brisbane).

“The boys we’ve brought into the club have been training unbelievably well.

“With that comes pressure on spots and myself, absolutely.”

Milera’s return from a ruptured patella tendon could easily be overlooked.

Much of the pre-season talk has been about newcomers Cumming, James Peatling, Alex Neal-Bullen and Sid Draper, along the potential breakout of Riley Thilthorpe.

Milera went from playing 22 matches in 2023 when the Crows narrowly missed the finals to just three last season but was now showing great signs on the track.

He was involved in one of the most eye-catching plays during match simulation at Richmond Oval on Wednesday.

Key defender Nick Murray won the ball at half-back then passed to Milera who accelerated through the middle of the ground, just as opponents tried to grab him before kicking long inside 50.

“I haven’t forgotten what Junior (Milera) can bring – how explosive he is and hard he is at the footy,” Hinge said.

“It’s easy to look past him but he’s probably happy for that.

“It’s so good to have him back in the main group and see how he’s going, he’s been impressive.”

Cumming, who was sidelined earlier in the pre-season with a hamstring injury, was involved in his first match simulation on Monday and involved again on Wednesday, playing on a wing.

Hinge joked that he hoped the former Giant remained up the ground to open a spot for himself.

“I think he’s going to be a really big addition,” he said.

“He covers the ground well and uses the footy so well.”

Cumming is also one returning from injury Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Smith featured in 15 AFL games last year – his fewest since his debut season in 2011 if you exclude the 2018 campaign he was returning from a serious knee injury.

He played five in the SANFL.

The 33-year-old lined up at half-back for the As on Wednesday, albeit Hinge was with the Bs so he could stand Izak Rankine and develop his leadership with the younger side.

Hinge believed Smith had much more to give at the top level.

“We’ve seen how much of a superstar he is,” he said.

“I don’t really know where that lies with him … but he adds to that pressure for spots and he’s got fire in his belly to put his best foot forward.”

Second-year utility Dan Curtin split his time between attack and midfield for the second time this week as he pushed his case for a round-1 spot.

Curtin played seven games in his debut campaign, starting as the substitute or getting subbed off in four of them.

Hinge said the West Australian looked pretty scary in the forward line.

Originally published as Track Watch: The latest pre-season scouting notes and news from Adelaide Crows