How Low Can They Crow: Every Adelaide player analysed
‘Progression is not always obvious, the reward for effort not always immediate. But over time it will emerge.’ That’s what Matthew Nicks said about Adelaide’s list at the end of 2022. The numbers, however, tell a different story.
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Does Adelaide have a list that can and should challenge for finals, or did Matthew Nicks get the Crows to overachieve in 2023?
It is a question that has been asked a lot as the Crows’ fall well-short of their pre-season declaration that 2024 was the year that the finals drought at West Lakes would be ended.
Champion Data stats reveal that just one player for the Crows is ranked as “elite” for 2024, and just seven as “above average”.
And a number of key players have regressed when it comes to ranking points from 2023 to 2024.
Here’s the state of the Crows list, who has improved, who has regressed and who is out of contract at the end of the season as Adelaide searches for answers as to why 2024 has been so disappointing.
Note - For the 2024 Champion Data Player Ratings, a minimum of seven matches need to be played. Differential is calculated from a minimum 12 matches in 2023 and seven matches in 2024.
1. Chayce Jones, Age: 24, Games: 90, Contract Expiry: 2026
2024: Above Average (Wing), Champion Data ranking point differential from 2023: -16%
Approaching 100 games, which is solid enough for the Crows but there is likely to always be a sense of what could have been given how high the Crows took him in the 2018 draft.
2. Ben Keays, Age: 27, Games: 127, Contract Expiry: 2027
2024: Average (Gen Fwd), RP differential: -20%
Has been a great feel-good story at the Crows, now a vice-captain after being delisted by Brisbane in 2019. Now playing a small forward role, while he does give the Crows plenty of running he does continue to be sloppy with the ball and has had a poor year. Signed a three-year contract earlier this year, was it too long?
3. Sam Berry, Age: 22, Games: 48, Contract Expiry: 2024
2024: Poor (Mid)
A big watch on his future come the end of the year. Played 35 games in his first two years and looked set for a breakout campaign in 2023. But has been disappointing since and there are questions about whether he can play with some of the other Crows midfielders. Has been the sub for the Crows on five occasions this season.
4. Lachlan Murphy, Age: 25, Games: 106, Contract Expiry: 2025
2024: Average (Gen Fwd), RP differential: -22%
Played his 100th game and voted into the Crows leadership group to continue his feel-good story but there’s a lot of debate around fans around his place in the team with his ranking points dropping off by 22 per cent.
5. Matt Crouch, Age: 29, Games: 154, Contract Expiry: 2025
2024: Average (Mid)
Frozen out for much of 2023, Crouch’s performances towards the end of last season and across 2024 have shown that this was a mistake by the Crows. Out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury in a blow for Adelaide.
6. Dan Curtin, Age: 19, Games: 2, Contract Expiry: 2026
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked
Crows fans have been crying out to see more of the top 10 draft pick the club traded up to take but he has just played two games and been subbed out in both. An exciting talent, Curtin is already getting linked with a move home to WA but it is understood he is happy at Adelaide.
7. Riley Thilthorpe, Age: 21, Games: 46, Contract Expiry: 2025
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked
Was on fire this pre-season but suffered a knee injury in the final practice match that has kept him out of games so far in 2024. Has put on some serious size during his time out, the Crows will be hoping he quickly get back to the form that had people at West Lakes convinced he was in for a breakout year.
8. Josh Rachele, Age: 21, Games: 48, Contract Expiry: 2029
2024: Above Average (Gen Fwd), RP differential: -15%
Is having a season where he is making headlines for acts on the field like not going for the ball against Essendon or whether he was having a dig at his lack of centre bounces against Hawthorn. Has plenty of talent but hasn’t kicked on as many have expected.
10. Luke Pedlar, Age: 22, Games: 30, Contract Expiry: 2026
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked
Had a solid 2023 but so far in 2024 has only managed four games after being injured twice this year. Drafted as a midfielder, Pedlar has mainly played as a forward at AFL level. Is one the jury is still out on.
11. Charlie Edwards, Age: 19, Games: 0, Contract Expiry: 2025
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked
A first round draftee who hasn’t played an AFL game yet for the Crows. A big-bodied midfielder, Edwards spent time as a half-forward for the Crows this pre-season. Yet to have a 20-disposal game in the SANFL.
12. Jordan Dawson, Age: 27, Games: 123, Contract Expiry: 2026
2024: Above Average (Mid), RP differential: -10%
The captain is one player the Crows can rely on. Started the season slowly but played his way back into form. Nicks would like three or more of him.
13. Taylor Walker, Age: 34, Games: 271, Contract Expiry: 2024
2024: Above Average (Key Fwd), RP differential: -23%
It was always going to be a tough task for Walker to follow up his stellar 2023 campaign. It has been made even tougher with the Crows attacking game off and twice Walker having struggled with back issues. His ranking points have dropped off by 23 per cent but you wouldn’t be surprised if he is still at West Lakes in 2025.
14. Jake Soligo, Age: 21, Games: 51, Contract Expiry: 2029
2024: Average (Mid), RP differential: +18%
Had a stellar run from Rounds 4 to 10 where he emerged as one of the most promising mids in the competition. Had has a couple of quiet games recently but looks to be on the right trajectory. The Crows have copped it for drafting but in Soligo they have found one.
15. Brayden Cook, Age: 21, Games: 22, Contract Expiry: 2024
2024: Average (Gen Fwd)
Ultra-raw when he came to the club, Cook is now starting to find a place in the Adelaide forward line. Given how highly rated he is at the Crows you would expect him to be at West Lakes in 2025.
16. Max Michalanney, Age: 20, Games: 36, Contract Expiry: 2026
2024: Below Average (Gen Def), RP differential: +16%
Had an oustanding debut campaign in 2023 but has interestingly been below average in 2024. Still a player the Crows can build around and has been blooded in the midfield in recent weeks.
17. Will Hamill, Age: 23, Games: 44, Contract Expiry: 2024
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked
Has had concussion issues since arriving at West Lakes but still has gotten some runs in the team. Was delisted and then moved to the rookie list last year, he will again be one to watch at the end of the season.
19. Zac Taylor, Age: 21, Games: 0, Contract Expiry: 2025
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked
One of the players Crows fans online have been crying out to get a chance at the top level. But this hasn’t happened because of fitness and injury issues. Has had some promising performances in the SANFL of late and is considered to have good ball usage.
20. Mitch Hinge, Age: 25, Games: 57, Contract Expiry: 2026
2024: Above Average (Gen Def), RP differential: +16%
Take away his brainfade of a bump on Taylor Adams on Saturday, Hinge has been one of few players added to the Crows leadership group that has improved this year.
21. Chris Burgess, Age: 28, Games: 43, Contract Expiry:
2024: Poor (Key Fwd)
Came to Adelaide from Gold Coast in the off-season and has showed why he only played three games in two years for the Suns. More of a depth player Thilthorpe’s injury gave him a chance earlier than expected but has been poor so far this year.
22. Oscar Ryan, Age: 19, Games: 0, Contract Expiry: 2025
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked
Hasn’t made his debut for the Crows. A quick rebounding defender Ryan has fans in the Crows coaching group but has had some very quiet games in the SANFL this year.
23. Izak Rankine, Age: 24, Games: 79, Contract Expiry: 2025
2024: Elite (Gen Fwd), RP differential: +22%
The only player rated elite for the Crows this year, in Rankine they have a star. Can become the elite midfield/forward that Adelaide needs.
24. Josh Worrell, Age: 23, Games: 26, Contract Expiry: 2027
2024: Average (Key Def), RP differential: +16%
Was putting together a fine season before he broke his forearm against Brisbane. Signed a new contract soon after so is a key part of the Crows’ future.
25. Ned McHenry, Age: 23, Games: 70, Contract Expiry: 2024
2024: Below Average (Gen Fwd)
Another player whose draft selection and development has been firmly under the microscope. Has been the sub four times this year. His future is likely to be decided at the end of the year.
26. Harry Schoenberg, Age: 23, Games: 61, Contract Expiry: 2025
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked
Back in the team after an Achilles injury in the last game of 2023. Can he fully break into the Crows midfield?
27. Luke Nankervis, Age: 21, Games: 15, Contract Expiry: 2025
2024: Average (Gen Def)
Has had an impressive past month for the Crows, claiming a Rising Star nomination. Can play a variety of roles in defence and on the wing. The Crows would be happy with his progress this year.
28. Nick Murray, Age: 23, Games: 47, Contract Expiry: 2025
2024: N/A
Played his first game of the season against Sydney after an ACL injury. Has impressed as a key defender after being picked up as a pre-season supplemental selection. Is a big part of Adelaide’s defence.
29. Rory Laird, Age: 30, Games: 238, Contract Expiry: 2026
2024: Average (Mid), RP differential: -9%
A three-time Malcolm Blight Medallist who has been prolific in the midfield in recent years. But the talk around whether he should be sent to half-back - where he was twice named as an All-Australian - is getting louder by the week.
30. Wayne Milera, Age: 26, Games: 99, Contract Expiry: 2025
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked
Played the most games in a season so far in his career in 2023 and was named in the Crows leadership group. But his injury woes struck again against Fremantle and he is out for the year. He has the talent but his body has let him down.
31. Billy Dowling, Age: 19, Games: 2, Contract Expiry: 2024
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked
Finally made his debut against Sydney, after weeks of Crows fans demanding he gets a chance at AFL level. Has looked solid enough at the level and you’d imagine he gets a new contract at the end of the year.
32. Darcy Fogarty, Age: 24, Games: 93, Contract Expiry: 2025
2024: Above Average (Key Fwd), RP differential: +2%
Has had a good last month and a bit after a slow start to the season. But questions remain about whether he will fulfil the potential Crows fans know he has.
33. Brodie Smith, Age: 32, Games: 259, Contract Expiry: 2024
2024: Below Average (Gen Def), RP differential: -20%
Has had a poor year and was dropped for the clash against Sydney. Out of contract at the end of the year, there has been reports that he is close to a trigger for another season but it would be hard to see him at West Lakes in 2025.
34. Elliott Himmelberg, Age: 26, Games: 45, Contract Expiry: 2024
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked.
Wasn’t able to pursue a trade to GWS last year after the Crows couldn’t get adequate tall cover. But after an attempt to make him into a key defender Himmelberg was back in the AFL team as a forward. Out of contract at the end of the year it won’t be a surprise if he leaves West Lakes.
35. James Borlase, Age: 21, Games: 12, Contract Expiry: 2024
2024: Below Average (Key Def)
Made his debut towards the end of last season after the Crows’ key defender stocks were hit hard by injury. Was delisted by re-rookied because of list spots. Had a solid pre-season but has been dropped on a couple of occasions this year. Has been playing as a key forward, providing ruck support, in the last two-games. His future will be one to watch come the end of the year.
36. Karl Gallagher, Age: 22, Games: 0, Contract Expiry: 2025
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked.
Irish recruit who arrived as a Category B rookie this year following being tracked by Crows recruiters since 2019. Has been playing as a forward in the SANFL.
37. Patrick Parnell, Age: 22, Games: 17, Contract Expiry: 2024
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked.
The mid-season draftee has played just the six games in the last two-seasons. The Crows do like his speed and ball use off half-back so that might give him a lifeline for 2025.
38. Lachlan Sholl, Age: 24, Games: 65, Contract Expiry: 2024
2024: Average (Wing), RP differential: +28%
One of the big improvers for the Crows this season, making a wing spot his home. Crows would be keen to keep him past this year.
39. Toby Murray, Age: 20, Games: 0, Contract Expiry: 2025
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked
The brother of Nick was picked up by the Crows in the mid-season draft. A ruck, Murray can also play as a key forward and was flicked to the defence in the SANFL earlier this year.
40. Hugh Bond, Age: 19, Games: 0, Contract Expiry: 2024
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked.
Has gotten a good run of games under his belt at State League level this year after he had to deal with injuries in 2023. Out of contract at the end of the year, he could be getting nervy about his future at West Lakes.
41. Jordon Butts, Age: 24, Games: 71, Contract Expiry: 2026
2024: Average (Key Def), RP differential: +45%
Had a poor 2023, battling multiple injuries, but has bounced back in 2024. You still question whether he is in the Crows best side with Murray returning.
43. Reilly O’Brien, Age: 28, Games: 112, Contract Expiry: 2025
2024: Below Average (Ruck), RP differential: -7%
Surprisingly dropped by the Crows before the Richmond game, with Nicks saying his form had been down. This was despite leading the competition for hit-outs and hit-outs to advantage. All of a sudden the ruck looms as an area the Crows need to address.
44. Lachlan Gollant, Age: 22, Games: 15, Contract Expiry: 2024
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked.
Just has never been able to nail down a spot in the Crows team, apart from a seven-game run in 2022. Key forwards do take time to develop and Gollant is still young.
45. Kieran Strachan, Age: 28, Games: 7, Contract Expiry: 2025
Hasn’t played enough games to be ranked.
Has been given an opportunity at AFL late with O’Brien dropped. Has performed OK at AFL level and has dominated in the SANFL but at 28 he isn’t the future for the Crows.
48. Mark Keane, Age: 24, Games: 23, Contract Expiry: 2025
2024: Above Average (Key Def)
One of few positives for the Crows this year with Keane continuing to impress after returning to footy, although the Irishman had a horror night against Joel Amartey last time out. But in a worry for the Crows other clubs appear to be noticing his good season and he is continued to be linked with a move to former club Collingwood.
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