Crows football director Mark Ricciuto talks Adelaide’s list, direction ahead of Showdown 55

Crows legend and football director Mark Ricciuto says the club is poised to add some experienced talent and says despite the ladder, the Showdown looms as a 50-50 affair.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 19: Crows head off the ground after their loss during the round six AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Essendon Bombers at Adelaide Oval, on April 19, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Fox Footy analyst Mark Ricciuto says Adelaide’s list is in a good spot to add more experienced players during the off-season via free agency or trade.

The Crows have been linked to GWS utility Harry Perryman, Melbourne’s swingman Harry Petty and Sydney forward Will Hayward as they prepare to put their first-round draft picks from the next two years on the table for potential trades this off-season.

Ricciuto, Adelaide’s football director, would not comment on that trio or specific targets, but said the club knew it had to keep topping up with more mature players.

“The club’s just going to do whatever they can to improve the list, whether that’s through the trade period or free agency,” Ricciuto told this masthead.

Crows football director Mark Ricciuto. (AAP Image/Kelly Barnes)

“We’ve got the list in a good spot now to start adding more experienced players.

“We’ve deliberately been very patient with it but hopefully we can sprinkle some more senior players into the group that we’ve got.

“It’s important to get the right type of player, not just any player.”

Adelaide’s recruiting and drafting had been in the external spotlight amid its 2-5 start to a season it planned to end a seven-year finals drought.

“I don’t think anyone was saying that last year when we were knocking on the door of the eight and I don’t think anything’s changed from that,” Ricciuto said.

“The younger players are starting to play well again.

“The reason we’ve been down this year is a combination of factors – form of senior and younger players, and injuries to important players.

“Over the remainder of the year I think we’ll see all our players getting better.”

Bookmakers listed Adelaide as the underdog in Thursday night’s Showdown against the 5-2 Power but Ricciuto described it as a 50-50 game.

“A couple of injuries evens it up a little bit,” he said.

“If you match up player on player in each area, you certainly don’t get the feeling that Port are the dominant side even though they’ve got the better form and their position on the ladder is completely different.

“It’s been a really disappointing start to the year for Adelaide.

“That’s why the Showdown’s such a big game because if they can win that, they can gain confidence and get back on track.”

The Crows continue to be linked with Swan Will Hayward. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Showdown build-up has this week included the retirement of Crows champion Rory Sloane, selection of Adelaide’s top pick Dan Curtin to debut and Power captain Connor Rozee’s remarkable recovery from straining his hamstring six days ago.

On Curtin, Ricciuto said: “I was having a chat with someone today and it’s interesting how Nicksy could have brought him in last week against North Melbourne in Tassie in front of 5000, but he’s decided to bring him in for a Showdown at Adelaide Oval in front of 50,000.

“It’s an interesting mindset – ‘how should I debut a young player?’ Because you couldn’t get two more opposite games to play in.

“Neither is wrong or right, but both Tex Walker and Jordan Dawson haven’t hesitated in saying Dan’s made for these sorts of moments.”

Ricciuto said the scene was set for another great, tight Showdown.

“The club’s absolutely pumped it’s a stand-alone game and hopefully everyone around the country watches it going ‘it’s a cracking game of football’,” he said.

Originally published as Crows football director Mark Ricciuto talks Adelaide’s list, direction ahead of Showdown 55