David King and Mark Robinson look at how far the Adelaide Crows can go in 2018

IS Bryce Gibbs the final piece in the Adelaide premiership puzzle? DAVID KING AND MARK ROBINSON look at whether the former Blue will be enough to take the Crows one step further in 2018. FULL SEASON PREVIEW

IS Bryce Gibbs the final piece in the Adelaide premiership puzzle? Blue chip trade acquisitions of the calibre of Gibbs are extremely rare.

Despite being 12 months late arriving, Gibbs will totally change the dynamic and potency of this Crows midfield and I’m backing him to be an All-Australian in 2018.

The influence of the Crows’ star players wasn’t an issue in 2017, highlighted by eight representatives in the All-Australian squad.

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It’s the next level of players who will be asked to raise their output this season, a problem made worse with the loss of Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron.

The Crows saved their poorest performance for the season’s biggest game. Exorcising the demons that come with losing grand finals will be a big challenge.

Bryce Gibbs could prove the difference for the Crows. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

They have conceded the off-season, particularly pre-Christmas, was slower than expected. But a shorter pre-season, in comparison with other teams, should not be allowed to drive or accept a lack of motivation. Don Pyke has his work cut out early in 2018.

Adelaide’s pure ball movement produced the best attack in the AFL last season, scoring an average of 110 points per week. They have the AFL’s most effective counter-attack game as well as the class intercept work of their back six.

The Crows scored 60 goals more from intercepts than the league’s second-best interceptors, Richmond.

Adelaide has had the most productive forward line in the league in the past two seasons, scoring from slightly better than every second inside 50 entry. Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch all have differing weapons and very rarely do we see them competing for the same possession. Expect this to continue in 2018.

The Crows’ midfield was questioned before the start of last season, but they answered their critics emphatically. They improved in contested possession, clearances and scores from clearances. Only their centre bounce clearance game regressed, but it wasn’t just Rory Sloane or bust.

Rory Sloane remains one of Adelaide’s most damaging players. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Matt Crouch was the game’s most improved midfielder in 2017, lifting from a 27-disposal average to 33. The Crows don’t need Crouch to push into the forward line like Dustin Martin as they’re proficient inside the forward 50, but just seven goals last season shows scope for improvement.

Brad Crouch played 20 games last season for the first time in his four-year career, and a healthy 28-possession average highlights his capabilities. He also averaged six clearances a game, but his kicking efficiency needs to improve from his 57 per cent rating.

The Crows have won 22 of their past 27 games at home. Expect this advantage to continue on their way to another minor premiership.

MARK ROBINSON

HERALD SUN CHIEF FOOTBALL WRITER

WHAT I LIKE

You have to wonder if the Crows’ playing list watched the Grand Final post-season for part review, part motivation and part reality. Liked Don Pyke’s assessment when he was reappointed coach: “Probably the biggest disappointment for the players and everyone involved was not necessarily the loss, but how we played.’’ If they get there again, they cross their fingers and hope for a different result. They weren’t soft or timid in the GF. They were nothing. And Pyke seems to have acknowledged that. Still, the list is strong. Bryce Gibbs adds to the mids, the forwards kick goals and, of course, they are a home-ground juggernaut. But it’s a premiership, or failure this year. Suspect there will be a real focus on travelling to/playing in Victoria, although only two games at the MCG (Hawthorn Round 13, Richmond Round 15) is not ideal when they could need more MCG exposure.

Eddie Betts remains an important part of Adelaide’s setup. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT I DON’T LIKE

They go into the new season missing Brodie Smith (ACL last September), while Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron wanted out, which means there are three positions in the starting 22 up for grabs. Smith and Lever out of the back half means reshaping will take place. I would’ve given the captaincy to Rory Sloane. Tex Walker will be an enormous leader anyway; so I’m thinking the captaincy may get even more out of Sloane. Might make it more difficult to leave as well.

VERDICT

Premiers