Crows list boss Justin Reid responds to the one draft question everyone is asking
Adelaide famously played with a top heavy forward line in 2025, so naturally the club topped up on more talls at the draft. Crows list boss Justin Reid explains why.
Adelaide list boss Justin Reid says it is a little coincidental the club has landed three forwards during the drafts but it is really pleased with its haul, capped by dual Brisbane premiership winner Callum Ah Chee.
Ah Chee was the sole selection in Friday’s pre-season call – five weeks after the Crows and Lions could not agree on a trade for the 28-year-old.
His arrival follows West Adelaide forward Mitch Marsh and Sandringham Dragons spearhead Archie Ludowyke joining the tricolours via the national draft the past two days.
The Crows’ only trade recruit, ex-North Melbourne big man Finnbar Maley, is also expected to play in attack, while the club thinks it is where former Australian junior basketballer turned Category B rookie signing Indy Cotton will probably feature.
Reid said Ah Chee’s versatility to play in attack, wing or half-back would help Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele spend more time in the midfield.
“Cal’s going to make us better,” Reid told this masthead.
“He’s a super human and we know his talent football-wise.
“(Recruiting a host of forwards) is a little bit coincidental.
“It’s not exactly the strategy that you went into, but from a pure draft perspective we could not pick Archie at pick 50.
“He’s a real talent and will take some time.
“With Mitch there’s some versatility to play other positions and with Indy, we’re not too sure what that looks like yet.
“He’s put some size on already and think it’ll be ahead of the ball, but it could be through the midfield or behind the ball.
“There’s certainly some depth ahead of the ball height-wise, which is a little bit deliberate when you’ve got Tasmania coming in a few years, Tex (Taylor Walker) is getting a bit older.”
Adelaide is Ah Chee’s third club after playing 45 for Gold Coast (2016-2019) and 124 for the Lions (2020-2025).
Reid said the club was thrilled for Ah Chee and his family after his wait to officially join the club.
“It’s never ideal, but he’s certainly relieved,” he said of the boyhood Crows fan, who booted four goals in Brisbane’s 2024 flag triumph.
Reid said there was some risk having Ah Chee go to the pre-season draft but the ex-Lion, his management and the Crows were all committed to seeing it through.
Asked about not strengthening the midfield this off-season, Reid said the club wanted to add players in other positions but “you can’t always do it at once”.
“Sometimes the cards just fall that way and you have to play with what’s in front of you,” he said.
“Unless it was an elite player that could move the needle, we need to continue to develop the midfield we’ve got.
“Jake Soligo, Izak played more midfield this year, Josh was going to before he got injured, then you throw in a (Sid) Draper and (Dan) Curtin.
“And we still need to expose some opportunity for Zak Taylor and Billy Dowling.
“We still think we’ve got some depth through there.”
The Crows are expected to target midfield run with its last remaining list spot and will invite two players to train with the club in coming weeks.
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