AFL round 1: Tough selection queries loom for Crows and Power

The 2025 season starts in just days for the Crows and the Power, yet still so many selection questions remain. SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON assesses the tough calls that have to be made.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 24: Connor Rozee of the Power and Jordan Dawson of the Crows pose during the 2025 AFL Captains Day at Marvel Stadium on February 24, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Will Sid Draper debut? Is Jeremy Finlayson locked in for a spot in defence?

With the start of Adelaide and Port Adelaide’s season just days away there are still some selection questions fans have ahead of their Round 1 clashes.

The Crows might have a bit of a selection squeeze while injuries have forced the Power to move the magnets around.

Here are the key selection issues for both clubs ahead of their season openers.

WILL DRAPER DEBUT?

The Crows have been careful with how they bring the No. 4 pick through the pre-season and have been trying to keep expectations around the midfielder measured.

But Draper has shown plenty to get Crows fans excited when he has been given the chance and after a starring role against Brisbane in the pre-season win it is getting harder and harder for Adelaide to quell the hype around him.

Against Brisbane Draper came on as the sub for the Crows – who decided to not use an extended team – and that has looked like how Matthew Nicks could use him early on in the season.

But Draper was so key in the Crows fightback, and added so much with his speed and explosiveness around stoppages, that he could have forced his way into an extended role early on.

Is it time to unleash Draper? Picture: Adelaide FC/Zac Standish

MILERA OR NANKERVIS?

There’s few things the Crows would love more than Wayne Milera getting a clear run at it after his injury-plagued years of late.

He was tracking well during pre-season but a quad issue meant he did not play in either of the hit-outs against Port Adelaide and Brisbane.

Against the Lions Nankervis impressed in place of Milera and has given the Crows coaches something to think about.

In match sim on Friday Milera was back with the A’s while Nankervis was in the B’s but is it going to be too much of a risk going with Milera against St Kilda with no pre-season games?

FINLAYSON LOCKED IN DEFENCE?

Finlayson in defence is definitely a thing for the Power.

Esava Ratugolea might be in the mix for Round 1 but Finlayson continues to firm as the partner for Aliir Aliir when the Power take on Collingwood at the MCG.

After his sensational game against St Kilda, Finlayson was again playing as a key defender in the Power’s internal trial.

Ratugolea and Ryan Burton – who can also play as a tall if required – did not take part in the internal trial but should be in training this week.

Despite this it looks like the Power are going to start the season with Finlayson as a pillar down back.

Finlayson looked at home down back against the Saints. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

TWO OR THREE TALLS IN ATTACK?

At the other end of the ground will the Power go with two or three key forwards?

Finlayson going to defence should in theory open up a spot for young key forward Ollie Lord to cement his spot in the side but his curious pre-season continues.

A year on from only an injury denying him the chance to start the season in the Power’s side, Lord continues to filter between the strongest forward line and the weaker one in match sim and against the Saints he had just the 40 per cent time on ground.

Mitch Georgiades and Jack Lukosius are locked in as talls for the Power and Ken Hinkley might decide that two key forwards is how he will start the season.

YOUNG GUNS HEADLINE REVAMPED POWER FORWARD LINE TO FACE PIES

Port Adelaide draftee Joe Berry is continuing to firm for a round 1 debut for the Power against Collingwood.

The 15th pick of the 2024 draft has had a strong pre-season at Alberton and continued it in the Power’s internal trial on Friday – evening spending some time around the ball to show that he could be more than a small forward.

Port’s SANFL and development coach Hamish Hartlett said Berry was set to get a taste of AFL action early on this season.

Joe Berry looks set to debut against the Magpies. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“There has been no secrets that we rate Joey really highly around the footy club, Kenny (Ken Hinkley) is a big fan of him and he hasn’t done much wrong this pre-season,” he said.

“He has great attributes to come in and play a role for us pretty early on this season so I think he will be there or thereabouts at selection for sure.”

Berry is set to be a part of a new-look Power forward line against Collingwood after the retirement of Charlie Dixon and Todd Marshall’s long-term injury.

The smaller forward line will also boast former Magpie Joe Richards, who continues to win plaudits at Alberton.

“He is a very exciting player,” Hartlett said.

“Physically he has great attributes, he can run all day, he is very fast, he is agile, he is a great thinker with the footy and he is a little bit older so he has a mature head on his shoulder and he makes the right decisions.

“He is going to add a different look for us this year.”

Joe Richards looms as another debutant. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Down the other end of the ground Jeremy Finlayson is set to start the year in defence.

Esava Ratugolea could be back in full training this week but Round 1 might come too soon for the former Geelong player, while Ryan Burton should be available for selection despite also not taking part in the internal trial.

Hartlett said Finlayson in defence was exciting.

“He has only spent two or three weeks there so he is raw in that role but he has delved into it headfirst and he is spending plenty of time with Goldy (Tyson Goldsack) and he understands there are some things that he can continue to tidy up,” he said.

“But the way he marks and kicks the footy for a big man is exceptional so it is an exciting proposition for us.

“Esava did plenty of running and ticked off what he needed to do with his rehab stuff.

“I think he is going to join in some training and we will wait and see where things land at the back-end of the week.
“I have been told Burto is going to be available for Round 1, we need to get the right training loads there.”

Kane Farrell impressed in the internal trial and is set for more responsibility in the Power’s defence in the wake of Dan Houston’s move to Collingwood.

Hartlett said Farrell had improved significantly as a defender, but shouldn’t be expected to outright replace Houston.

“He has spent only the last 12 to 18 months down back and he is still refining the little details in his game that can elevate him from a good to really good player,” he said.

“He has some great attributes, his kicking is exceptional and I really like the way he has actually developed into a good defending defender rather than just a ball distributor off half back he is actually winning some battles one-on-one now.

“Dan’s role was quite a unique one for Dan so the other guys will just play their footy the way they have been and guys will naturally improve.”

Originally published as AFL round 1: Tough selection queries loom for Crows and Power