List analysis: Every Adelaide Crows player rated, plus signings during trade period
Adelaide’s off-season rebuild has kicked off with club securing three young guns. We rate every player and reveal how long is left on their current contracts.
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Adelaide has re-signed young guns Sam Berry, Luke Pedlar and Brayden Cook to new two-year deals.
The 19-year-olds, who were all taken inside the first 30 picks in December’s national draft, were already contracted for 2022, but agreed to extensions until the end of 2024 on Tuesday.
Inside midfielder Berry played 17 AFL games this season, Cook featured three times and hard nut Pedlar lined up twice at the elite level.
Chosen from Glenelg at No. 11, Pedlar, was the club’s second-highest pick last year, behind Riley Thilthorpe (two).
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Cook was drafted 25th overall from South Adelaide and Adelaide grabbed Berry from Gippsland Power three selections later.
Berry, who made his debut in Round 1, said he was excited to build on his first season.
“I’m very excited for where this club is heading,” Berry said.
Pedlar had a modified pre-season due to groin soreness before impressing at SANFL level then making his AFL debut in Round 16.
An ankle injury cut short his campaign.
He said he had made some great connections at the club, which was building a great culture.
“What Nicksy (coach Matthew Nicks) brings, I’m all for,” Pedlar said.
Wingman/half-forward Cook endured off-season shoulder surgery and came from a long way back to make his AFL debut in the Round 21 Showdown.
He maintained his spot for the last two games.
BELOW: WE RATE EVERY CROW AND THEIR CONTRACT STATUS
Cook, who grew up as a Crows supporter, said he loved how close the squad was.
“It feels like home and, knowing we are going in the right direction, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Cook said.
Adelaide list manager Justin Reid said the trio was important for the club’s future.
“All three bring different weapons and attributes to our team,” Reid said.
“Clearly they have talent but they have also shown an appetite for the hard work that is required.
“It’s a credit to the work they have put in since being drafted and the development program in place at the club that we saw them feature at AFL level this season.
“We are excited about what the future holds.”
Their re-signings take the total number of players to have recommitted to the Crows this year to 23.
Every Crow rated ahead of ‘active’ trade period
- Simeon Thomas-Wilson
The rebuild at Adelaide is set to ramp up this off-season.
Already more than 600 games of experience have been either told they are no longer required at West Lakes, Daniel Talia and Tom Lynch, or will retire – David Mackay.
Talia, who will skip the Crows club champion ceremony on Saturday night, and Lynch are generating interests from rivals.
And the departures look set to not stop there.
Matt Crouch has been tabled a two-year deal by the Crows but he is expected to leave West Lakes.
Port Adelaide have been linked with Crouch, after asking about brother Brad last year, but the former All-Australian midfielder is expected to return to Melbourne.
The Crows also have a huge call to make over the future of Taylor Walker, whose future is now the elephant in the room at West Lakes.
Walker was suspended for six matches for a racial slur regarding North Adelaide’s Robbie Young and has been away from the club since copping the ban.
He has been meeting with players but his future at the Crows is still uncertain, with still a year to go on his deal.
Rookie-contracted Ben Davis is considered to be facing an uphill battle to get a new deal, while Ronin O’Connor could also be in that boat.
Jake Kelly is in negotiations with the club over a new deal, while Lachlan Gollant and Next Generation Academy pair James Borlase and Tariek Newchurch are expected to get new deals.
Kieran Strachan got his opportunity in the final two games of the season and performed well.
This should earn the ruckman a new contract at the Crows, but at 25 Strachan has a decision to make if he feels like he can be the No. 1 at another club.
While the Crows big salary cap room is geared towards a big play at Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine next year, Adelaide could still make some moves this off-season.
It is understood the Crows are now hopeful they could snare Sydney defender Jordan Dawson.
Dawson had said publicly he was likely to stay in Sydney, but it is now understood this is considered to be 50/50 with the Swans salary cap making it hard for them to offer the 24-year-old the deal he wants.
Dylan Stephens, out of contract at the end of the season, has also been linked to the Crows.
Before the Crows win over North Melbourne on Sunday, Crows senior coach Matthew Nicks said Adelaide was now looking to become a “destination club” and would be active “and always willing to improve” in the trade period.
“You don’t just acquire players from other clubs because you want them,” Nicks said.
“You have to put a case up that shows we are on the right track, this is a destination club we would love you to come and join us.
“That is the challenge at the moment, getting these players to join us and being able to show them what we are building.”
EVERY PLAYER ANALYSED
1. Chayce Jones. Age: 21 Games: 38 Status: Signed to 2023
Has found a new lease on life in his AFL career after getting moved to the backline by Nicks after he struggled in midfield roles earlier this season. Still has two years on his deal and still looms as a big part of Adelaide’s future.
2. Ben Keays. Age: 24 Games: 68 Status: Signed to 2022
A huge success story for the Crows. Keays was picked up as a rookie after being delisted by Brisbane and has become a huge part of the Adelaide engine-room. Expect a new deal to be sorted early next season.
3. Fischer McAsey. Age: 20 Games: 10 Status: Signed to 2023
Signed a two-year extension with the Crows in a big coup for the club, despite heavy speculation that he would return to Victoria after a family health issue. Hasn’t played a game this year though despite being at the time the Crows’ highest ever draft pick just two years ago.
4. Lachlan Murphy. Age: 22 Games: 59 Status: Signed to 2023
Carving out a nice niche in the Crows forward line. His importance to Adelaide was further reinforced when he went down with an injury earlier this year.
5. Matt Crouch. Age: 26 Games: 125 Status: Out of contract
Matthew Nicks wants him to stay and sign a new deal, but is the two years that is on the table from the Crows enough to keep him. If another club comes to the party then it is likely Crouch is gone.
“He’s given an indication that he wants to be at the football club, it comes down now to dollars and a contract, and that’s understandable – that’s a player looking for security,” Matthew Nicks August 14.
6. Jackson Hately. Age: 20 Games: 16 Status: Signed to 2023
Hasn’t had the impact many expected him to have, with his season ended early because of a groin issue. More will be expected next season of the former GWS Giant.
7. Riley Thilthorpe. Age: 19 Games: 14 Status: Signed to 2025
The future of the Crows. No surprise he’s already signed a new deal this year.
8. Jake Kelly. Age: 26 Games: 110 Status: Out of contract
Is currently in discussions with the Crows over a new deal, with a resolution expected to be finalised in the next couple of weeks.
9. Rory Sloane. Age: 31 Games: 229 Status: Signed to 2023
The Crows captain still has two more years on his deal and while he isn’t playing his best footy Adelaide will still need his leadership in the rebuild.
10. Luke Pedlar. Age: 19 Games: 2 Status: Signed to 2022
Injuries have meant he didn’t play as many games as the Crows would have liked but Adelaide have big hopes for a player they selected high in the draft.
11. Paul Seedsman. Age: 29 Games: 132 Status: Signed to 2022
Has completely turned his career around following a frank discussion with Nicks last off-season. He’s played every game and triggered a contract for a new deal. Talks have started over a new deal.
12. Daniel Talia. Age: 29 Games: 200 Status: Out of contract
Told he wasn’t going to be offered a new deal, bringing his 200-game career at the Crows to an end, won’t go to the Club Champion award on Saturday. Wants to play on in 2022, and says clubs have already registered their interest.
“I won’t name who, but there is definitely some interest, which is nice,” he told SEN SA on August 23.
13. Taylor Walker. Age: 31 Games: 220 Status: Signed to 2022
Now the biggest question on the Crows list after he was hit with a six-game ban for making a racial slur towards Robbie Young at a SANFL game. Only weeks prior had signed a new deal with the Crows but that won’t guarantee he remains at the club.
“I’ve sat down with him and we have talked about a number of scenarios and how he is going, at this point in time we will continue to work through that,” Nicks said on August 22.
14. David Mackay. Age: 33 Games: 248 Status: Out of contract
The club wanted him to go on but at 33 and sitting ninth on the Crows games played list Mackay made the call to retire at the end of the season.
15. Brayden Cook. Age: 19 Games: 3 Status: Signed to 2022
A bolter in his draft year, Cook’s raw ability is loved by Crows coaches. The fact he made his debut this year bodes extremely well for him and Adelaide.
16. Luke Brown. Age: 28 Games: 178 Status: Signed to 2023
Been plagued with injury this year but is still one of Adelaide’s most important defenders. Should stay at the club into his 30s.
17. Will Hamill. Age: 20 Games: 25 Status: Signed to 2022
The concussions are starting to become a concern but Adelaide rate the young defender.
20. Mitchell Hinge. Age: 23 Games: 4 Status: Signed to 2022
Dislocated his shoulder in Round 1 in his debut for the club and bravely tried to play on before dislocating it again. Should get games next season.
21. Sam Berry. Age: 19 Games: 17 Status: Signed to 2022
Has played plenty of footy in his first year despite being one of many Victorians unable to play last year. Crows fans will be looking for more polish from the youngster.
22. Billy Frampton. Age: 24 Games: 18 Status: Signed to 2022
Next season looms as a big one for Frampton, who has shown he is too good for SANFL but hasn’t exactly lit the AFL up yet. A move to defence could be the making of a change in fortunes though.
23. Shane McAdam. Age: 26 Games: 28 Status: Signed to 2023
His second season wasn’t as successful as his first, with McAdam having to spend some time in the SANFL. But he impressed in his return to the side and still has two years remaining on his deal.
24. Josh Worrell. Age: 20 Games: 1 Status: Signed to 2023
Made his AFL debut against St Kilda and signed a new deal earlier this year. Will be pushing for more opportunities next year.
25. Ned McHenry. Age: 21 Games: 29 Status: Signed to 2022
The No. 16 pick of the 2018 draft had a breakout year, playing all but one game. Still probably needs to find a way of impacting games more but he took some steps this year.
26. Harry Schoenberg. Age: 20 Games: 30 Status: Signed to 2023
Outside of Thilthorpe has arguably become the most exciting youngster at the Crows. Got some midfield time and showed his ability to burst out of stoppages.
27. Tom Lynch. Age: 30 Games: 164 Status: Out of contract
The Crows made the contentious call to not offer Lynch a new deal, with many surprised given how well the veteran has been playing this year when he returned from injury. Hasn’t decided whether he will pursue his AFL career back in Melbourne.
28. Nick Murray. Age: 20 Games: 13 Status: Signed to 2023
The boy from country NSW won a spot on the Crows list as a train-on player in the off-season and played 13 games. Signed a new deal this year as well in a great story of persistence.
29. Rory Laird. Age: 27 Games: 182 Status: Signed to 2026
Signed a big contract with the Crows early on this season and has already repaid it. Laird has been sensational in his new midfield role and earnt a spot in the All-Australian squad.
30. Wayne Milera: Age: 23 Games: 62 Status: Signed to 2025
Tore his patella tendon in pre-season making it the second year cruelled by injury in a row. Signed a big deal in 2020 and so far the Crows have not gotten any bang for their buck.
31. James Rowe: Age: 21 Games: 19 Status: Signed to 2022
The mature-age rookie played 19 games although he was dropped later on in the year, should get a new deal at some point in 2022.
32. Darcy Fogarty: Age: 21 Games: 41 Status: Signed to 2023
Signed a two-year deal in June. Nicks has said this pre-season looms as a big one for Fogarty with key figures at the Crows still wanting him to improve his fitness. Was tried in short spurts on the ball to try and get him more into games.
33. Brodie Smith: Age: 29 Games: 204 Status: Signed to 2024
Signed a new deal early on in the year to make him a Crow for life. Has rebounded well this season.
34. Elliott Himmelberg. Age: 23 Games: 27 Status: Signed to 2022
Struggled to break into the team at the start of the year but played five out of the last six. Is contracted for next year but needs to show some consistency. Amazingly could be the senior key forward for the Crows depending on Walker’s future.
35. James Borlase. Age: 19 Games: 0 Status: Out of contract
A next generation academy rookie, Borlase looms as a project player for the Crows with his incredible wingspan. Hasn’t been offered a new deal yet but the Crows are positive about the youngster.
36. Andrew McPherson. Age: 22 Games: 27 Status: Signed to 2023
Another one to re-sign during the year. Looks to be starting to get a good run at it with his body.
37. Ronin O’Connor. Age: 20 Games: 3 Status: Out of contract
Played three games in 2021, including one as the sub, but had little impact in any of them. Did get some midfield minutes in a positive sign for the West Australian. The Crows are lacking a big inside midfielder but has O’Connor done enough to stay?
38. Lachlan Sholl. Age: 21 Games: 27 Status: Signed to 2024
Started the season on fire but ended up limping to the finish line, dropped on three occasions. But Nicks still loves the hard-running Sholl whose drop off in form could be attribute to the wear and tear of the season.
39. Tom Doedee. Age: 24 Games: 51 Status: Signed to 2023
Adelaide’s next captain in waiting Doedee signed a new two-year deal that will set up for a huge contract with the Crows when a new Collective Bargaining Agreement has been struck up.
40. Ben Davis. Age: 24 Games: 6 Status: Out of contract
Put on a rookie contract last year Davis was shifted to the backline this year and was able to get some games at the end of the season – two of which he came on as the sub. But at 24 he could be in trouble.
41. Jordon Butts. Age: 21 Games: 24 Status: Signed to 2023
Probably the biggest improver at the Crows this year, Butts played every game and performed really well on some of the games best key forwards. Was rewarded with a new contract and expect him to figure highly in the Crows Club Champion award.
42. Tariek Newchurch. Age: 19 Games: 0 Status: Out of contract
The NGA prospect didn’t play any AFL but looms as an excitement machine for the Crows. Watch this space.
43. Reilly O’Brien. Age: 26 Games: Status: 57 Signed to 2025
Signed a new deal early on this year. Did have some injury battles but when he was at his best showed why the Crows have him as their No. 1 ruckman.
44. Lachlan Gollant. Age: 19 Games: 1 Status: Out of contract
Spent a fair chunk on the sidelines after hurting his finger but ended up playing the final game of the season and Nicks is speaking about him being at the club next year.
45. Kieran Strachan. Age: 25 Games: 3 Status: Out of contract
Might have either played his way to a new deal at West Lakes or one at another club after some good performances in the final two games of the season. At 25 can will Strachan back himself to be able to knock O’Brien off the top of the Crows ruck standings next year?
51. Patrick Parnell. Age: 19 Games: 0 Status: Out of contract
Mid-season draftee who is very much a work in progress, would be a shock if he is cut loose after just six months.
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