Adelaide 2022 preview: Season predictions for the Crows

All signs point to Harry Schoenberg making his mark on the competition in 2022. But could it be another young Crow who has a breakout year? Have your say.

Will the Crows keep improving in 2022?

The question was posed to Adelaide in the lead up to last season — can they avoid back-to-back wooden spoons?

Well, they did that, and more.

Seven wins, two incredible upsets and a Taylor Walker revival that no-one saw coming.

So what’s next for this exciting squad?

Matt Turner looks at the Crows ahead of 2022.

Stream every match of every round of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.

Matthew Nicks will be excited for what’s to come in 2022. Picture: Michael Marschall

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2021?

The Crows clearly improved this year. Not just in the wins column, where they went from three to seven, but the way the team played. Adelaide beat reigning premier Melbourne and preliminary finalist Geelong at home in two of the league’s biggest upsets. The Crows ran out of gas late in the campaign, losing seven of their last nine matches.

Coach: Matthew Nicks

Captain: Rory Sloane

Adelaide shocked everyone after defeating the Cats in Round One. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT HAPPENS IN 2022?

Around 10th to 12th. Expect further improvement in the third year of the club’s rebuild under Nicks. Wayne Milera and Matt Crouch did not play a game this past season, while recruiting Jordan Dawson from Sydney was a coup that gave the club another quality player. Josh Rachele will add some much-needed spark, Riley Thilthorpe is poised to step up in Taylor Walker’s early absence and Harry Schoenberg’s finish to last season is promising.

BIGGEST IMPROVER IN 2022?

Schoenberg is now 30 games into his career and is showing signs that he will become a really good player. After featuring eight times during his debut campaign in 2020, the 20-year-old did not miss a match this past season. He gathered at least 20 disposals in all bar one of the last seven games, ending the campaign around the ball more, rather than at half-forward, where he started it.

Can Harry Schoenberg take another big leap next season? Picture: Getty Images

X-FACTOR

Jordan Dawson gives the Crows an extra attacking weapon as a beautiful, booming kick who can play multiple positions. After being drafted to Sydney as a forward, Dawson starred across halfback for the Swans then moved to the wing this year – a season in which he finished third in the club’s best and fairest. Adelaide is looking to use him in midfield roles, where his delivery and long kicking can help create goals.

COACH STATUS

Nicks was already contracted until the end of next season before re-signing earlier this month until the end of 2024. That was a huge sign of confidence from the Crows’ hierarchy that Nicks was the person to drive the club forward while it sought to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. “There is genuine buy-in from the players, coaches and staff to the relationships and standards that Matt is driving,” Crows chief executive Tim Silvers told the club’s website.

OUT OF CONTRACT

Taylor Walker, James Rowe, Mitch Hinge, Elliott Himmelberg, Billy Frampton, Ben Davis, Lachlan Gollant, Patrick Parnell, Tariek Newchurch, James Borlase.

INS FOR 2022

Jordan Dawson (Sydney), Josh Rachele (draft – pick 6), Jake Soligo (pick 36), Zac Taylor (pick 44), Luke Nankervis (pre-season draft).

Adelaide Crows picked up new recruit Jordan Dawson. Picture Harrison Mielke

OUTS FROM 2021

Jake Kelly (Essendon), Tom Lynch (delisted), David Mackay (retired), Ronin O’Connor (delisted), Daniel Talia (delisted), Tyson Stengle (delisted).

FIRST SIX GAMES AND HOW MANY THEY WIN

Fremantle @ Adelaide Oval (W)

Collingwood @ MCG (W)

Port Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval (L)

Essendon @ Marvel Stadium (L)

Richmond @ Adelaide Oval (W)

Western Bulldogs @ Mars Stadium (L)

Prediction: 3 wins, 3 losses

BEST 22 IN ‘22

B: Brown, Butts, McPherson

HB: Hamill, Doedee, Smith

C: Seedsman, Keays, Dawson

HF: Milera, Thilthorpe, Schoenberg

F: McHenry, Walker, Rachele

FOLL: O’Brien, Laird, Sloane

INT: Sholl, Fogarty, Crouch, Jones

SUB: Berry

EMG: McAdam, Hately, Murray, Murphy

Originally published as Adelaide 2022 preview: Season predictions for the Crows