All the contract and list news from Adelaide and Port Adelaide as Crows delistings loom

After playing just four games last year, and being handed the sub vest multiple times to start 2024, Sam Berry didn’t appear part of Adelaide’s long-term plans. But things have changed.

Tough midfielder Sam Berry has spurned Victorian suitors and signed a new two-year contract at Adelaide after a strong end to the season.

The Crows announced on Thursday the 22-year-old would be staying at West Lakes until the end of 2026.

Berry’s future at West Lakes looked to be under a cloud after he played just four games in 2023, and was routinely the sub or was subbed off to begin 2024.

But after nine non-sub-affected games to end the season, he has committed to the club, despite interest from Victorian clubs.

Sam Berry has re-signed with the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos

“I was obviously in and out of the team early in the season but to get some continuity at the back end was pleasing,” Berry said.

“There are a lot of positives to come out of the season, the young boys coming in and getting some experience – Zac Taylor in the midfield, Billy Dowling out on the wing and Dan Curtin showing the type of player he’s going to be – so it was great to play some footy with them.”

Crows list manager Justin Reid said they were excited about Berry’s potential.

“He demonstrates all the attributes that we value highly – hard work, a strong defensive mindset, team-first attitude and a thirst for the contest – so we are thrilled that he has recommitted to our club for the next two years,” he said.

Power duo re-signs ahead of first final

– Matt Turner

Port Adelaide defender Lachie Jones is hopeful he has put a history of injuries behind him as he prepares to play an important backline role during the Power’s flag tilt.

Hamstring issues have hampered Jones since his debut season in 2022, including sidelining him for two matches in rounds 9 and 10.

But the 22-year-old has featured in more games this campaign than any other (18), becoming a mainstay in a defence that is now missing Dan Houston and Kane Farrell for the rest of 2024.

Jones, whose form was rewarded with a new two-year contract on Wednesday, said his body was feeling the toll of his extra matches this season, but the week off before facing Geelong in the qualifying final would be good for him.

“There’s always that little bit (in your mind) that it’s late in the season and given my history, something could go wrong, so these extra few days will help,” Jones said.

Lachie Jones will stay at the Power until 2026. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“I’m pretty good today, but was pretty sore after the weekend.

“That’s how it’s been – sore after the game, but you come into it feeling confident.

“This year is probably the best year I’ve had (with injury).

“I’m not 100 per cent out of the woodwork, I’ve got a bit of work to do in the off-season to get back to feeling 100 per cent confident in my body.

“I’ll probably be doing a trip in the off-season (to a university in Wisconsin, US) with a few other boys, trying to nut a few of those issues out.”

Jones expected Josh Sinn, Dylan Williams and 2020 All-Australian defender turned forward Darcy Byrne-Jones to be in the frame to replace Farrell in defence.

Farrell’s season is over because of a high-grade hamstring injury he sustained during the Power’s win over Fremantle in Perth on Sunday.

Jeremy Finlayson has been offered a one-year deal. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“It’s a big hit for us ... with probably two of our most attacking defenders gone,” Jones said.

Byrne-Jones trained in defence on Wednesday and played part of the Dockers match in the backline.

“I’m not sure what it looks like next week, I assume he’ll probably play back again,” Jones said.

Jones, a childhood Power supporter who was drafted from the club’s Next Generation Academy at pick 16 in 2021, said re-signing was a pretty easy decision.

Forward Jeremy Finlayson also ensured he would remain at the Power in 2025, inking a one-year extension.

Jones said Finlayson’s new deal would ease the 28-year-old’s stress after his season-ending spleen injury against Gold Coast last month.

“(Re-signing) gives him confidence that once he’s fit and running again, he can roll straight in and look forward to bouncing back next year,” he said.

FRINGE CROWS FORCED TO WAIT

Adelaide’s players in contract-limbo will have to wait until just how busy the Crows are in the upcoming player movement periods before their futures at West Lakes are decided.

After their season ended on Saturday, Crows players continued their exit meetings on Tuesday at West Lakes.

While other clubs have announced delistings following the culmination of their seasons, the Crows are yet to reveal who won’t be at West Lakes in 2025.

This is because the future of several out-of-contract Crows will be dependent on how busy Adelaide is during free agency and trade period.

The Crows are confident of striking a deal for Melbourne’s Alex Neal-Bullen after he requested a trade home to South Australia for family reasons, and are in the mix for Gold Coast’s Jack Lukosius and GWS’ Isaac Cumming.

The Crows are targeting Jack Lukosius in the trade period. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

Giants’ Isaac Cumming is another player on the Crows’ radar. Picture: Brett Costello.

They were in the mix for Giants utility Harry Perryman but that is understood to now be on the backburner.

This means there are a number of Crows who are still waiting to find out if they will be at West Lakes in 2025.

Defender Will Hamill said that was the message he got from the club.

“Nah not yet, I will have to wait until after trade period,” he said.

“It is what it is, you just have to not think about it too much but I just have to wait and see.”

The 23-year-old played seven games for the Crows this year and said he would love to continue his time at the club.

“I would love to stick around, it has been an all-right year (for him),” he said.

Tall forward Lachie Gollant is another with his future up in the air.

“Still not too sure, just waiting on a few things so we will figure that out in due course,” he said.

“I’d love to stick around if they would have me but we will see what that looks like.”

Talisman Taylor Walker is expected to soon sign a new one-year deal, while veteran Brodie Smith has hit a trigger in his current contract for 2025.

Key defender James Borlase said talks regarding his future were trending in the right direction, while small forward Ned McHenry did not comment as he left West Lakes on Tuesday.

Sam Berry, Hugh Bond, Elliott Himmelberg and Paddy Parnell are the other Crows who are without a contract for 2025.

Originally published as All the contract and list news from Adelaide and Port Adelaide as Crows delistings loom