AFL Trade Period 2023: Adelaide list boss Justin Reid on Crows’ exchange period and plans for 2024

Justin Reid is satisfied with Adelaide’s trade period and will happily bank on internal growth in 2024 – and maybe a late move up this year’s draft order.

Adelaide will happily bank on internal growth to try to propel the club into the finals next season after bringing in only Gold Coast swingman Chris Burgess this trade period.

The Crows did not add to their business during the closing hours on Wednesday, ensuring Burgess coming in and Shane McAdam (Melbourne) and Tom Doedee (Brisbane) going out were the club’s player movements this year.

Adelaide, which made big splashes the previous two trade periods by adding Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine, had pushed for another significant inclusion over the past fortnight via interest in Demons duo Clayton Oliver and Harrison Petty.

But Oliver chose to stay, Melbourne shutdown talks on contracted South Australian Petty and the Crows were content to hold onto their strong draft hand of three picks inside the top 20.

Justin Reid and the Crows are happy to bank on internal growth next season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Adelaide list manager Justin Reid told this masthead the club, which finished 10th this year, was satisfied with its trade period and being able to bring in versatility with Burgess, as well as holding onto its early selections.

Reid said the Crows had multiple conversations with various players “but were very specific in what we were trying to bring in”.

“We won’t trade for the sake of trading,” Reid said.

“We’re still bottom three for age and games in 2023 so part of your list management strategy is also investing in the group itself.

“So being able to keep the group together and have that cohesion is important as well.

“Part of that is the contracting we’ve done throughout the year … and giving this group time and exposing the list.

“Some of those guys would’ve been at the club four to six years going into next year so it’ll give a really good sample size of where we sit from a list perspective and probably gives us a bit more flexibility going forward.”

As for Adelaide’s pursuit of a superstar like Oliver, Reid said: “If you’re looking at pure need and a guy of that quality, we’re right in that space now and going forward into 2024, 2025”.

“Quality players we’d certainly look to bring into the list if it’s the right fit on and off the field,” he said.

Chris Burgess joined the Crows in the trade period. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Reid said the Crows exhausted all opportunities with Petty, but Melbourne was consistent that he was a required player.

“We know he’s got a strong desire to get home at some stage,” he said.

Reid was coy when asked about the club’s chances of landing Petty next year.

The Norwood product is contracted until the end of 2025.

“It’s too far ahead,” he said.

Reid said Burgess’s versatility would be important while defender Nick Murray recovered from a knee reconstruction that could sideline him for up to three quarters of next season.

He also flagged a potential backline switch for key forward Elliott Himmelberg.

The list boss said Adelaide needed to bring a replacement in for Himmelberg to grant him his wish of joining his younger brother, Harry, at GWS.

Reid said the club, which now had selections 10, 14 and 20 this year, was keen to climb the order before next month’s draft.

It had been in conversations with Geelong, which held pick 8.

“We’ll certainly look to get up … whether that’s between now and the draft or on draft night itself,” Reid said.

Dees respond to talk Petty will leave next year

– Ed Bourke

South Australian tall Harrison Petty might not change his mind on moving home in the future but Melbourne is confident he is committed to leading a revamped forward line next season.

Petty was targeted aggressively by Adelaide during the trade period and floated as part of a possible deal for Shane McAdam, but the Demons managed to secure the Crows forward without giving up the 23-year-old, who becomes a free agent at the end of 2025.

The Demons hope Petty can form an effective forward combination with Jacob van Rooyen next season, and have added further to their offensive mix with McAdam and experienced St Kilda half-forward Jack Billings, who arrived at the club on the final day of trading in exchange for a future third-round pick.

Will Harrison Petty push for a return home again next year? Picture: Michael Klein.

Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb bristled at suggestions Petty may still look to depart next season in a fashion similar to when former Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs eventually forced a trade to Adelaide, but said the Demons understood the lure of playing in his home state and were working to help make life easier for Petty in Melbourne.

“I can’t predict the future, mate,” Lamb said when asked about Petty’s intentions in the next off-season.

“We’ve had lots of conversations with Harrison, and he’s really comfortable with our decision and really happy to stay at the club.

“He spoke about the lure of home and some of the issues around that with his family, and their ability to get over here and watch him play and be involved a bit more.

“So that’s something that we’ll work with him to make sure that is a better situation for him.”

Originally published as AFL Trade Period 2023: Adelaide list boss Justin Reid on Crows’ exchange period and plans for 2024