Adelaide list analysis: Every Crows player’s contract status and future analysed
The Crows have plenty of players locked away, which means the squeeze is on at West Lakes and some won’t survive. Check out will will stay and who might go in our Crows list analysis.
There will be plenty of eyes on what happens regarding Matt Crouch and Tom Doedee’s future at Adelaide, not just from outside West Lakes.
The Crows have the majority of their list locked away beyond 2023, meaning a list squeeze is on at Adelaide.
Further tightening the list squeeze is the Crows being one of a number that need to either upgrade a rookie to their main list or cut them loose.
This means the Crows have calls to make on category b rookies James Borlase and Tariek Newchurch.
Newchurch hasn’t played an senior game so looks to be in trouble but Borlase finished the season in the Crows AFL side after Adelaide’s defensive stocks were hit further by injury and looked at home at the level, save for a game against Brisbane.
Borlase’s camp hasn’t gotten an update from the Crows, who are understood to be keen to keep the key defender, but it could come down to whether Adelaide has enough list spots.
If Borlase is to look for a new club then rivals are expected to show interest in the 21-year old.
Adelaide could also look at moving for a key defender with Doedee and Nick Murray to be on the sidelines for much of 2024 with knee injuries.
But headlining the Crows’ off-season will be what happens with Crouch and Doedee.
Doedee was looking for a long-term deal but when he suffered the second ACL injury of his career this year the Crows pulled their longstanding offer and have presented him with a reduced two-year one.
The 26-year-old intercept defender has said ideally he stays at the Crows but the knee injury had complicated things.
The free agent has been linked to Brisbane.
Fellow leadership group member Brodie Smith said on Monday he hoped Doedee would stay at West Lakes.
“Yeah absolutely, obviously there is a bit going on there. He is working through a bit but he is a guy that I love playing footy with and hopefully he is around,” he said.
Crouch also has a decision to make, which is expected to be finalised in the next fortnight.
After a barnstorming end to the season Crouch is now weighing up interest from the Crows and multiple clubs.
The 28-year-old is well entrenched in Adelaide but a multi-year deal could result in him moving interstate for a fresh start.
After being out of favour for most of the 2023 season, and for a large period of last year, and playing in the SANFL an opportunity to feature regularly at the top level will be a big factor in what Crouch does next.
Smith said he hoped this would be at West Lakes.
“I really hope so. What he has done this year shouldn’t be underrated,” he said.
“The way he has gone back to the SANFL as an older guy, as a best and fairest winner, as an All-Australian to be back in the SANFL at a young age has been difficult for him but the way he has gone about it and the leadership he has shown and the way he has been able to develop his game and come back.
“We know that Matt is going to get 30 touches a game, but it is what he is doing with the footy now and he is driving his legs, he has been damaging, score involvements, all those sort of things.
“It’s a massive credit to what Matt has been able to do and hopefully he is rewarded for that.”
With Adelaide’s SANFL team qualifying for finals, the Crows players who won’t be playing in state league post-season will have their exit interviews on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Here is where every Crow sits as they look to end their finals drought in 2024.
1. Chayce Jones
Age: 23 Games: 76 (2023 games: 18) Contract ends: 2026
Carved out a role on a wing for the Crows this year, impressing coaches with his consistency before his season was ended with a foot injury. Signed a new contract this year, Jones will be one to watch in the future as a Tasmanian team takes shape.
Status: Staying
2. Ben Keays
Age: 26 Games: 113 (2023 games: 23) Contract ends: 2024
His remarkable story since joining the Crows continues with Keays again in the leadership group. Has played more roles as a tagger or in the forward half rather than midfield but is still an important part of the Crows team.
Status: Staying
3. Sam Berry
Age: 21 Games: 39 (2023 games: 4) Contract ends: 2024
Looked set to take a big step in the Crows midfield but has had a disappointing year. Struggled to get the ball and his tackles were well down as well. The Crows will be hoping he can bounce back next year.
Status: Staying
4. Lachlan Murphy
Age: 24 Games: 98 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: 2025
He doesn’t kick the most goals as a small forward but Murphy provides an extremely important role for the Crows. This was rewarded by the Crows with a new contract.
Status: Staying
5. Matt Crouch
Age: 28 Games: 143 (2023 games: 7) Contract ends: Out of contract
One of the big storylines to watch regarding the Crows this off-season. Back in the team to end the season after being out of favour Crouch is expected to make a decision on his future over the next fortnight. He has shown he can star at AFL level, and is open to a fresh start interstate as long as it is a multi-year deal. Up to four clubs have shown interest in Crouch who looked like he was being frozen out at West Lakes until the latter stages of this season.
Status: Up in the air
6. Jackson Hately
Age: 22 Games: 28 (2023 games: 1) Contract ends: Out of contract
Has only appeared in one AFL game this year after falling behind others in the Crows midfield. Has performed strongly in the SANFL this year but hasn’t been able to find a consistent spot in the Crows team. Is still young though.
Status: In trouble
7. Riley Thilthorpe
Age: 21 Games: 46 (2023 games: 21) Contract ends: 2025
Still a work in progress for the Crows as a key forward. Has shown why he went No. 2 in his draft with a five-goal effort in the Showdown but has been quiet at other times. An interesting watch will be how much time he spends in the ruck in the future.
Status: Staying
8. Josh Rachele
Age: 29 Games: 34 (2023 games: 21) Contract ends: 2029
Started the season off strongly as he moved between the forward line and the midfield. Signed a long-term deal and then quietened down as the season went on but still provided some highlights for the Crows. Could 2024 be where he becomes more of a midfielder?
Status: Staying
9. Rory Sloane
Age: 33 Games: 255 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: 2024
Returned from an ACL injury earlier than many expected and surpassed expectations in terms of how many games he played and his output. He signed a one-year contract extension to go another year and has spoken of his excitement about having a full pre-season. May have to play less games than usual next year to get some of the Crows young mids into the team.
Status: Staying
10. Luke Pedlar
Age: 21 Games: 26 (2023 games: 21) Contract ends: 2024
Had a breakout year with his body finally allowing him to find a spot in the Crows side. Played mainly as a pressure forward but at times got some centre bounces and this looks to be where he ends up. Will it start in 2024?
Status: Staying
11. Paul Seedsman
Age: 31 Games: 132 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: Out of contract
Seedsman emotionally announced his retirement earlier this month after being recommended to by an AFL panel after spending the last two years suffering with concussion symptoms.
Status: Retired
12. Jordan Dawson
Age: 26 Games: 109 (2023 games: 23) Contract ends: 2026
Became captain after just one season, Dawson showed why Matthew Nicks was convinced he was the man for the job. Has had some inspirational performances as the big-bodied midfielder the Crows have long cried out for. Should be one of the best players in the comp in 2024.
Status: Staying
13. Taylor Walker
Age; 33 Games: 260 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: 2024
Continued his late-career renaissance in 2023 with his status as the Crows’ talisman further entrenched after a stunning year. Signed a contract to go around again in 2024 and you wouldn’t bet against him getting another one after how good he has been over the last couple of years.
Status: Staying
14. Jake Soligo
Age: 20 Games: 36 (2023 games: 21) Contract ends: 2029
Adelaide loves Soligo as a player, evident by the long term deal the Crows gave him. Has spent time forward, on a wing and even in the midfield. What position will he play in 2024?
Status: Staying
15. Brayden Cook
Age: 21 Games: 12 (2023 games: 1) Contract ends: 2024
Just the one game for Cook this year. Adelaide coaches are fans of him but have long stated that he is raw. Played as a forward in the SANFL on the weekend. Could be one to blossom next season.
Status: Staying
16. Max Michalanney
Age: 19 Games: 22 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: 2026
The Crows have felt aggrieved at the father-son system before, Bryce Gibbs, but have got themselves a beauty in the son of Norwood great Jim. Has looked at home at AFL level in his debut season and looms as a really exciting young key or intercept defender for the Crows once he puts some size on having normally taken the opposition’s most dangerous small forward this year.
Status: Staying
17. Will Hamill
Age: 22 Games: 38 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: 2024
Hasn’t played an AFL game this year and hasn’t tore up the SANFL. But the worrying thing is that he has had more concussion problems. Does have a year on his contract though.
Status: Likely to stay but decision could be taken out of his hands
19. Zac Taylor
Age: 20 Games: 0 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: 2025
Only managed the four SANFL games this year before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Had a promising SANFL campaign in 2022 and will be looking to get back on track next year.
Status: Staying
20. Mitch Hinge
Age: 25 Games: 43 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: 2024
Has had a career year coming off half-back, forming a dangerous combination with Wayne Milera. Can also play taller and has become an important hybrid defender for the Crows.
Status: Staying
21. Tyler Brown
Age: 23 Games: 28 (2023 games: 1) Contract ends: Out of contract
One that looks likely to come down to available list spots. Came to the Crows as a big-bodied midfielder, which they lack, but the former Collingwood father-son has only managed the one game this year. Has had a good month in the SANFL though, which could help his case come the end of the season.
Status: Up in the air
22. Izak Rankine
Age: 23 Games: 68 (2023 games: 20) Contract ends: 2025
Has been everything the Crows hoped for since his return to Adelaide from the Gold Coast. Has helped the Crows establish the league’s best attack, does he go more into the midfield at times in 2024?
Status: Staying
23. Shane McAdam
Age: 28 Games: 50 (2023 games: 7) Contract ends: Out of contract
Highly rated at the Crows McAdam looked to be in a bit of trouble when he got suspended for three matches and then injured after Round 1. But he has returned to play six games in a row at the back-end of the season and should earn a new deal.
Status: Likely staying
24. Josh Worrell
Age: 22 Games: 17 (2023 games: 12) Contract ends: 2025
Had an interrupted pre-season but once he got into the team at the halfway point of the year he impressed in defence. Part of why the Crows are comfortable with where the Doedee situation currently is.
Status: Staying
25. Ned McHenry
Age: 23 Games: 60 (2023 games: 11) Contract ends: 2024
It looms as a potential make or break year for the former first round draft pick in 2024. Only played 11 games at AFL level this year and a lot of them were as the sub. There doesn’t seem to be a place for him in the Crows’ best forward line.
Status: Staying
26. Harry Schoenberg
Age: 22 Games: 57 (2023 games: 11) Contract ends: 2025
Got back in the side to end the year but suffered what appears to be a serious Achilles injury in the final game of the season against West Coast. Still looks to be a big part of the Crows future.
Status: Staying
27. Luke Nankervis
Age: 20 Games: 4 (2023 games: 4) Contract ends: 2025
Broke into the side this year as a defender and impressed when given a chance. Could be in line for more opportunities in 2024 depending on Adelaide’s off-season.
Status: Staying
28. Nick Murray
Age: 22 Games: 46 (2023 games: 17) Contract ends: 2025
Will be out for most of 2024 after suffering an ACL injury against Melbourne. Before then he was having an extremely solid year for the Crows and was probably their best key defender. Looks to be a cornerstone of their defence going forward.
Status: Staying
29. Rory Laird
Age: 29 Games: 224 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: 2026
Another consistent year by the prolific onballer. Adelaide does want to get some youth in the midfield but that will not come at the expense of Laird.
Status: Staying
30. Wayne Milera
Age: 25 Games: 96 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: 2025
Finally fit and in his best position of half-back Milera showed why the Crows gave him a five-year contract in 2020. About to hit the prime of his career, the Crows should keep him in defence rather than move him around like they have in the past.
Status: Staying
31. Billy Dowling
Age: 19 Games: 0 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: 2024
Didn’t manage an AFL game in his first season at the club but showed some solid form in the SANFL with three games in which he had 10 or more tackles. Could push for a debut next year.
Status: Staying
32. Darcy Fogarty
Age: 23 Games: 79 (2023 games: 21) Contract ends: 2025
A solid year from the Crows key forward. Managed one more goal than his breakout year in 2022 but kicked a lot more behinds. If he can get some of his accuracy back in 2024 then he could be in line for a big season.
Status: Staying
33. Brodie Smith
Age: 31 Games: 247 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: 2024
A very good year by the Crows leadership group member. Impressed in defence before being shifted to the wing where Nicks likes him as an extra midfielder. Still doing an important role for the Crows.
Status: Staying
34. Elliott Himmelberg
Age: 25 Games: 41 (2023 games: 3) Contract ends: 2024
Was on fire in pre-season but only managed the one game after Round 2. At 25 he should be a regular in the Crows side but looks to be behind Thilthorpe and Gollant. Still has a season to go on his contract but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he looks at his options.
Status: Likely to stay
35. James Borlase
Age: 21 Games: 4 (2023 games: 4) Contract ends: Out of contract
The injuries Adelaide’s backline copped gave Borlase his chance at AFL level and he didn’t look out of place. After coming to the club as a Next Generation Academy player the Crows need to either promote Borlase to their main list or cut him loose. The Crows are understood to be keen to keep him but whether they have enough list spots is now going to be key. If he isn’t a Crow expect other teams to look at him.
Status: Up in the air
36. Andrew McPherson
Age: 24 Games: 28 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: Out of contract
Has had a wretched run with injuries over the past couple of years and this continued recently in the SANFL when re-aggravated a long-term quad injury. He has shown he has the talent to play at AFL level but his body has let him down. ‘
Status: Likely going
37. Patrick Parnell
Age: 21 Games: 16 (2023 games: 5) Contract ends: 2024
Suffered a sickening concussion in Round 2 when he was on the end of a dangerous tackle by Richmond’s Nathan Broad. Showed against St Kilda in Round 9 why the Crows coaches rate him highly with 25 disposals.
Status: Staying
38. Lachlan Sholl
Age: 23 Games: 54 (2023 games: 16) Contract ends: 2024
Managed to play most of the season after previously starting the year hot and fading out. Was strong in the SANFL on the weekend. Will be looking to win back a wing spot next year.
Status: Staying
39. Tom Doedee
Age: 26 Games: 82 (2023 games: 11) Contract ends: Out of contract
The other big story ahead of the off-season for the Crows. Had hoped for a five-year contract but his season-ending knee injury means he is only getting offered a two-year one after Adelaide offered him a reduced deal when contract talks restarted. Said he wants to remain at the Crows but things had been “complicated”.
Status: Up in the air
40. Hugh Bond
Age: 18 Games: 0 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: 2024
No game at AFL level and his SANFL stats don’t pop out. But still has a year on his contract and the Crows were fans of his toughness and competitiveness.
Status: Staying
41. Jordon Butts
Age: 23 Games: 60 (2023 games: 17) Contract ends: 2026
His season was ended early by a foot injury and before that he struggled with injury and had some form issues, which resulted him in getting dropped for Round 2. Despite this he still figures as a key part of the Crows defence going into the future.
Status: Staying
42. Tariek Newchurch
Age: 21 Games: 0 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: Out of contract
Like Borlase, Newchurch can’t be kept as a category b rookie next year so the Crows have a decision to make. He has elite speed and has kicked three or four goals five times in the SANFL this year but has struggled for consistency at times and looks to be in trouble.
Status: Likely going
43. Reilly O’Brien
Age: 28 Games: 100 (2023 games: 23) Contract ends: 2025
Is still the Crows No. 1 ruckman and had some big games in 2023. Looks to have seen off the challenge of Strachan, the only watch now is whether the Crows have plans to put Thilthorpe in the ruck more with the young gun subbed in for O’Brien in his 100th game against West Coast.
Status: Staying
44. Lachlan Gollant
Age: 21 Games: 12 (2023 games: 4) Contract ends: 2024
Probably was unlucky to only play the four games for the Crows this year with some seriously strong SANFL form. The fourth option when it comes to the Crows key forwards at the moment, Gollant shapes as the next man up when Walker eventually does pull the pin.
Status: Staying
45. Kieran Strachan
Age: 27 Games: 5 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: 2025
No AFL games in 2023 despite some dominant form in the SANFL. Signed a new deal in December but looks to be a fair way away from a senior game now.
Status: Staying
48. Mark Keane
Age: 23 Games: 10 (2023 games: 5) Contract ends: 2025
After coming back to Australia from Ireland to chase his AFL dream, Keane finished the season as the Crows most experienced key defender. Signed a contract the day after his debut in the Showdown. Before that the Crows were extremely high on him but had some concerns about whether he would stick around in 2024. He is now.
Status: Staying
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