Adelaide Crows list analysis: The 22 players out of contract in 2021
The Crows are in rebuild mode. That is tough news for veterans who are in the final year of their deals. See every Adelaide player out of contract in 2021.
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The rebuild is underway at Adelaide and it will only heat up at West Lakes.
The Crows will enter next month’s draft with the strongest hand in their history, and once some elite young talent is added to the list and the make-up for 2021 finalised the decision makers at Adelaide won’t have long to take a break.
The Crows have 22 players out of contract at the end of the 2021 season with decisions to be made on some key contributors in recent years.
There is still a season of footy to be played, but out of the 22 who should stick around to be a part of the Adelaide rebuild and whose time at the Crows might be coming to an end?
JORDON BUTTS, 20, GAMES PLAYED 2
Debuted this season, the young key defender now has a clear path to the Crows line-up after Kyle Hartigan’s departure. Has added some size since being drafted and has shown in the SANFL he can find the ball.
The verdict: Young prospect to keep.
MATT CROUCH, 25, GAMES PLAYED 125
Does he join his brother Brad in looking for a move away from the Crows? Was dropped by Matthew Nicks early on in the season and savaged by pundits for a perceived lack of impact with his masses of touches. But had a strong end to the season and the Crows like his leadership in the midfield and his manager and the club have started discussions.
The verdict: Lock him in
BEN DAVIS, 23, GAMES PLAYED 2
Played his second game for the Crows in Round 1 but was not sighted since, with a stress reaction in his foot coming when he might have had a chance of breaking back into the side. Does have plenty of speed but for whatever reason just can’t get into the team.
The verdict: Future uncertain
TOM DOEDEE, 23, GAMES PLAYED 30
Showed he’s a future captain in waiting for the Crows when he skippered the side in just his 27th match. Doedee’s season was prematurely ended for the second year in a row when he suffered an injury to the hamstring that provided the graft for his ACL rebuild. You’d expect as long as his body holds up he will be a key part of the Crows on the field and off it.
The verdict: Lock him in
DARCY FOGARTY, 21, GAMES PLAYED 24
Crows fans love him but he needs a big pre-season after the Crows dropped him because of fitness issues this season. Kicked eight goals this year amid questions whether he and Taylor Walker can play in the same forward line. Will be arguably the Crows player to watch in 2021.
The verdict: Needs to lift
LACHLAN GOLLANT, 19, GAMES PLAYED 0
Has looked OK in trial games since being selected as a raw wingman. Gollant can play in a variety of roles on the outside but how patient can the Crows be with him?
The verdict: Wait and see
JAKE KELLY, 25, GAMES PLAYED 90
Was dropped once this season but still was an important part of Adelaide’s defence, although he wasn’t in the form he has shown in previous seasons. Still in the right age profile for the Crows, if he doesn’t want to go back to Victoria then you’d imagine he stays around.
The verdict: Keep around
RORY LAIRD, 26, GAMES PLAYED 160
His move to the midfield coincided with the Crows breaking their losing streak and winning three in a row. Would have currency at the trade table, and his name does get thrown up quite a lot as trade bait. But you’d imagine the Crows would not want to part with one of their best players and a player who really adds something to their midfield.
The verdict: Lock him in
TOM LYNCH, 30, GAMES PLAYED 152
A member of the leadership group but has just ticked over to 30. Was good without dominating like he has in the past but that was largely due to the way the team was functioning. Crows could have a big decision to make here.
The verdict: Could be it
SHANE MCADAM, 25, GAMES PLAYED 13
Arrived at AFL level this year the mature ager has quickly become one of the most exciting Crows. Has that x-factor the Crows need in their forward line.
The verdict: Lock him in
FISCHER MCASEY, 19, GAMES PLAYED 10
Wasn’t easy to come in as a draftee and play a key post in defence as the Crows struggled but McAsey has shown enough to suggest why the Crows took him with Pick 6 last year. Seems to be quite happy in Adelaide as well and is a long-term player in the making for the Crows.
The verdict: Lock him in
ANDREW MCPHERSON, 21, GAMES PLAYED 9
Finally was able to get on the field for the Crows after numerous injury woes and won the Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award. Showed he can play at the level long-term if his body allows him to.
The verdict: Lock him in
LACHLAN MURPHY, 21, GAMES PLAYED 44
Elevated off the rookie list at the end of last season, Murphy has been solid as a small forward for the Crows in 2020. Plays with Tyson Stengle, rather than for, in a sign that Nicks likes him.
The verdict: Keep around
REILLY O’BRIEN, 25, GAMES PLAYED 37
Adelaide will be hoping this year’s Malcolm Blight Medal winner doesn’t do what the 2019 recipient did and leave the club at the end of the following season. There seems to be not much risk with that with O’Brien though, it will just be about if the Crows get him some support or competition going forward.
The verdict: Lock him in
RONIN O’CONNOR, 19, GAMES PLAYED 0
Hasn’t played a game yet for the Crows but the 191cm contested specialist is an intriguing prospect. The arrival of Jackson Hately might impact on his prospects but the Crows midfield needs someone of his size and skillset.
The verdict: Young prospect to keep
HARRY SCHOENBERG, 19, GAMES PLAYED 8
Looked comfortable in his first year even in a midfield that was under the pump. Will only get better as his body becomes more of an AFL one and truly allows him to show his competitive nature. The Crows have got one here.
The verdict: Lock him in
PAUL SEEDSMAN, 28, GAMES PLAYED 110
Had an up and down 2020 having been in bed and unable to train for close to two months during the COVID-19. Got a good run of games going but then was omitted for the run home in which the Crows lifted significantly and Lachie Sholl claimed one of the wing spots, is he the man for the other?
The verdict: See what you can get for him
BRODIE SMITH, 28, GAMES PLAYED 183
Injuries meant he had to return to his familiar post down back after pre-season hopes of a full-time role in the midfield. Is in the leadership group and a great club man for the Crows so you’d expect he stays at West Lakes for the rebuild.
The verdict: Lock him in
KIERAN STRACHAN, 25, GAMES PLAYED 1
Signed a new deal to remain at the Crows for another year. Played his first AFL game in the Crows worst performance of the season against North Melbourne. Seen as a long-term ruck prospect but at 25 how long do the Crows wait?
The verdict: May struggle to get another deal
DANIEL TALIA, 29, GAMES PLAYED 200
Was linked with a move to Essendon this trade period but after Kyle Hartigan left it would be hard to see the Crows let their other experienced key defender go. Should have a role to play at West Lakes post 2021.
The verdict: Keep around
TAYLOR WALKER, 30, GAMES PLAYED 203
The Crows have said he will be an incredibly valuable member of their team in 2021 but in what role? He’s a much loved figure and still highly valued for his leadership but he isn’t impacting games like he used to and as mentioned earlier there are still questions around whether he and Darcy Fogarty can play together. Adelaide is expected to take either key forwards Logan McDonald or Riley Thilthorpe with the first pick of the draft as well.
The verdict: Might be time
MORE AFL
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Graham Cornes: How the Adelaide Crows can end sad saga and become a destination club again
AFL free agency: Brad Crouch joins St Kilda from Adelaide
JOSH WORRELL, 19, GAMES PLAYED 0
Hasn’t played a game yet but will be looking to change that in 2021. A versatile player, Worrell has played key forward, key defence and on the wing in his junior years. Recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie said he was “too good to refuse” at last year’s draft. If he wants to stay in Adelaide you’d imagine the Crows keep him around.
The verdict: Young prospect to keep
Originally published as Adelaide Crows list analysis: The 22 players out of contract in 2021
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