Emerging star Riley Thilthorpe kicks the matchwinner for Adelaide against St Kilda last year in Cairns. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

ADELAIDE
2021 record: 7 wins, 15 losses (15th)

THE INS
Jordan Dawson (Sydney), Josh Rachele (Murray Bushrangers), Jake Soligo (Eastern Ranges), Zac Taylor (Calder Cannons), Luke Nankervis (Sandringham Dragons)

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

THE STRENGTHS
They started from a low base in 2021, but the Crows’ ability to go from three wins in 2020 to seven wins a season later would have given cause for optimism that the team is headed in the right direction. Their wins over eventual premier Melbourne and preliminary finalist Geelong were the clear highlights. The recruitment of gun Sydney midfielder Jordan Dawson was a coup, and he has plenty of exciting young teammates who, if they stick together for the long haul, could ensure Adelaide’s rise back up the ladder. The likes of Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty, Lachlan Sholl, Harry Schoenberg, Jordon Butts, Will Hamill, James Rowe, Ned McHenry and Andrew McPherson, are enough to ensure that Adelaide fans have something to look forward to every time they go to the footy this year. Their midfield contains a pair of 2021 All-Australian squad members in Rory Laird and Paul Seedsman, as well as Dawson, captain Rory Sloane and the vastly-improved Ben Keays, who came on in leaps and bounds last year. Thilthorpe, Fogarty and Elliott Himmelberg could turn into a very tough group of key forwards to handle for opposition sides, Shane McAdam has begun showing what all the hype was about, and the return of key players Matt Crouch and Wayne Milera from injury, after failing to play a game last year, will serve as a huge boost.

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THE WEAKNESSES
While the Crows were able to win seven games, they did start 2021 with a 3-1 record, which means they ended up losing 14 of their last 18 games – not ideal. Almost half of their losses were by over 40 points, including their dreadful two-goal effort against Essendon, which saw them kick their lowest ever score (2.9.21). Already with the No.16 ranked defence in the competition, the departure of Kelly to the Bombers could potentially leave them further exposed down back, with Butts and Tom Doedee the only established key defenders on the list at present. Adelaide was also ranked in the bottom five (14th) for offence, so the Crows still have plenty of work to do under third-year coach Matthew Nicks. One of their biggest issues last season was that opposition teams were able to control play far too easily against them, as evidenced by the Crows being ranked last for marks on differentials. Adelaide’s midfield possesses some decent names on paper, but it desperately needs some reinforced steel, because if Nicks’ men are going to sit last in the AFL for tackles, 12th for contested possession and 10th for clearances on differentials, as they did in 2021, they can expect a wasted season. The Crows’ on-ball brigade has to do a much better job of supplying the ball to the forward line this year, after ranking No.13 for inside 50s last year. It’s no surprise that the flow-on effect was that their team came in fourth-last both for goals and marks per inside 50 as a result. You’re just not going to achieve much success with those numbers. Another concern for the Crows is the health of Seedsman, who had his best year last year. The former Magpie is still experiencing lingering concussion symptoms after copping a head knock at training before Christmas and continues to be on light duties.

ONE TO WATCH
Thilthorpe could easily become the face of the organisation within a couple of years. What’s not to like about this kid? In his debut year, the former No.2 draft pick finished in the top four for goals at the Crows with 18 majors, after bursting on to the scene with a bag of five in his first game against Hawthorn in round six. Tall, athletic and abundantly-talented, Thilthorpe has laid the foundations for a stellar career and don’t be surprised if he has a massive impact in 2022.

UNDER THE PUMP
On the field, Taylor Walker had one of his best years last year, but off it he had by far his worst, and threatened to tear the fabric of the club apart as a result of his racial slur scandal. The former captain copped a six-game suspension and was directed to make a $20,000 donation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program in South Australia for racially abusing Indigenous North Adelaide player Robbie Young at a SANFL game. Making the situation even more uneasy for the Crows was the fact that they had four Indigenous players on their list last year. The situation brought a visibly distraught Nicks to tears when he fronted the media. Walker, whose future at the club was under a serious cloud for a period after the incident came to light, is still not available for selection until round four as he’s only halfway through his ban. To say that he owes his club would be an understatement, and if he fails to reach the on-field heights he did in 2021, it’s fair to say the out-of-contract veteran might struggle for a new deal for 2023.

BEST 23
B: Luke Brown, Jordon Butts, Will Hamill
HB: Brodie Smith, Tom Doedee, Wayne Milera
C: Paul Seedsman, Rory Laird, Jordan Dawson
HF: Shane McAdam, Darcy Fogarty, Harry Schoenberg
F: Taylor Walker, Riley Thilthorpe, James Rowe
R: Reilly O’Brien, Ben Keays, Rory Sloane
Inter: Matt Crouch, Lachlan Sholl, Ned McHenry, Andrew McPherson, Chayce Jones
Emerg: Sam Berry, Elliott Himmelberg, Fischer McAsey