Predicted teams for Port Adelaide and Adelaide in Round 1

Where do the Crows play Dan Curtin? Do the Power pick Ryan Burton or Jeremy Finlayson? Will Sid Draper debut? Simeon Thomas-Wilson addresses each side’s burning selection questions.

Adelaide and Port Adelaide’s pre-season campaigns ramp up further this week as the two South Australian clubs travel interstate for their AAMI Community Series games.

The Crows take on Brisbane in Queensland on Thursday evening, while the Power take on St Kilda in Melbourne on Saturday.

With their Round 1 sides nearly locked in, here are players from both clubs who fans will be keeping a close eye on.

ADELAIDE

Sid Draper

The No. 4 pick was in the Crows’ A team in their internal trial and then featured early in the practice match against the Power.

But this came with Crows star Izak Rankine at the Indigenous All Stars match and then missing the practice match with illness.

Prior to that he was featuring more in the Crows’ B side during match sim, but there was a belief that some good showings in pre-season matches could put him well and firmly in the frame for Round 1.

Matthew Nicks has said Draper has “attributes I think will come through at a higher level” and while the Crows’ depth is a lot stronger than it was 12-months ago, a good showing against the Lions could have the South Adelaide product in line for at least a sub spot against St Kilda in Round 1.

Daniel Curtin at Crows training ahead of Thursday night's Showdown. Pictured on May 1st, 2024 at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley

Dan Curtin

There is just as much excitement for Crows fans when it comes to their top pick from the 2023 Draft.

The West Australian has had a ripping pre-season and has made the Crows go with a four-tall forward line of him, Taylor Walker, Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thilthorpe.

But Curtin isn’t just a forward, with the Crows unsure of just where a player who was drafted as a key defender and played as a big-bodied midfielder will end up.

Against the Power he played on a wing at times, and Crows fans will be watching closely as to what is his role against the Lions.

Mitch Hinge

Is Hinge now all of a sudden one to monitor at the Crows?

He has played 22 games for the last two seasons, and in 2024 was in the leadership group for the Crows.

But he is no longer in that ahead of the 2025 season, didn’t finish in the top 10 of the Crows Club Champion in 2024 and has spent more time than you would expect outside of the strongest side in match sim this pre-season.

With Rory Laird returning to defence and Wayne Milera back from injury is Hinge one that is getting squeezed as a result of the increased depth at the Crows?

His game time and how he is used against former club Brisbane will be fascinating.

Lachlan McAndrew

After his surprise SSP signing this week, could the former Sydney ruckman feature for the Crows against the Lions?

McAndrew has impressed at pre-season training at West Lakes, and had the better of Adelaide’s No. 1 ruckman Reilly O’Brien during the Crows’ internal trial.

If he features against the Lions then it could be a sign that O’Brien has a real challenger in 2025.

PORT ADELAIDE

Josh Sinn

Earmarked as one of the Power players who could replace Dan Houston after his move to Collingwood, Sinn has had his moments in pre-season but has yet to fully show off his offensive arsenal off halfback.

Part of this has been because the Power are playing smaller after the injuries to Esava Ratugolea and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.

Sinn looks likely to play for the Power in Round 1, and after a rough run with injuries since he arrived at Alberton Port fans will be desperate for him to show why he was rated so highly as a junior.

What role will Sam Powell-Pepper play this season? Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

Sam Powell-Pepper

After his ACL injury last year Powell-Pepper has returned to action and given he is so important for the Power’s forward line another hitout will be vital in him getting back to his best.

There were promising signs against the Crows, but like the rest of the Power’s forward line there is definitely more to come.

How will the leadership group member coexist with new recruit Joe Richards and draftee Joe Berry in the Power’s new-look and smaller forward line will be something fans will definitely be watching closely.

Ryan Burton

Is it a case of Burton or Jeremy Finlayson for the final spot in the Power’s defence if Ratugolea isn’t fit for Round 1?

While he stands at 191cm, Burton has been identified as an option for the Power as it looks to cover for a lack of height caused by injuries.

But Finlayson has been thrown back into defence as a potential solution and Power defence coach Tyson Goldsack was pleased with how he went against the Crows.

Burton has plenty of talent and can use the ball smoothly from halfback but his 2024 was inconsistent as he played 15 games and was dropped on multiple occasions by the Power.

This year looms as a big one for him.

Will Ryan Burton line up in Round 1? Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Connor Rozee

What will the Power captain’s midfield and forward time look like this season, especially with Zak Butters to miss the start of the season?

After injuries impacted his first year as Port skipper, Rozee comes into 2025 with a point to prove and to return as a one of the A-Graders of the competition.

When it comes to the Power’s midfield, Rozee and Horne-Francis are the ones that Ken Hinkley can throw forward if required.

But Butters is going to miss the start of the season after going under the knife, so will Rozee play a lot more on the ball?

Originally published as Predicted teams for Port Adelaide and Adelaide in Round 1