Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson on the Crows’ shortsighted approach to 2025

Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson says the Crows are attacking 2025 with a narrow-minded approach to avoid another missed opportunity.

Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson says the Crows are “lowering the eyes this year” after thinking they would surge into finals footy this time last season.

The Crows would have made finals in 2023 if it wasn’t for an incorrect goal umpiring decision but failed to reach the same heights in 2024.

Dawson admits the Crows might have had natural progression pushing them into the eight last year and will stay shortsighted to avoid another disappointing year.

“We’re in the business where there’s always going to be expectation and pressure on you,” he said.

Crows skipper Jordan Dawson expects his side to start the season more focused. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“We’ve had a fantastic pre-season, one of the better ones I have been involved in and fortunately not too many injuries at the moment.

“We’re really lowering the eyes this year, we’re just focusing on round 1 and where we go from there.

“I reckon, potentially … maybe we thought we’d get there after the year we had before with just natural progression and we had worked hard.

“Adding a couple of experienced guys to our group this year, it increases the depth, fight for spots which ultimately makes our team and players better.

“There will be a lot of guys missing out which is a great thing for the team.”

Dawson has been impressed with the pre-seasons of Izak Rankine and Jake Soligo in the midfield, while 2023 top pick Daniel Curtin has adapted to his new forward-mid role.

Dawson, 27, cuts the draftees some slack in their first year, especially the ones that move states, but expects Curtin to take a step with a “really impressive” pre-season.

“My thing with the 18-year-olds coming in, if they can play any AFL footy in their first year it’s an absolute bonus,” he said.

Dawson is expecting a strong season from second-year player Daniel Curtin. Picture: Tom Huntley

“Going into a full-time job, into a professional environment and trying to figure out how it works and moving interstate, it’s a massive jump for these guys.

“For him (Curtin) to play footy and get exposed to that was the key and now this year he’s really confident in his body, he’s thickened out even more and breaking tackles.

“The role he’s going to play, he’s going to play a bit more forward and a bit of midfield.

“He’s one of the guys who has been really impressive. Obviously, you don’t want to build him up too much, but internally we’re really valuing what he’s doing.”

Originally published as Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson on the Crows’ shortsighted approach to 2025