The Crows were flying high and mighty going into the 2017 AFL Grand Final but little did they know that the events that unfolded that day would put in motion the sinking of the club into mediocrity for the foreseeable future.
Fast forward to the present, and Adelaide have been through the wringer since that fateful final Saturday in September, however, things are now looking up ahead of what could potentially unfold over the coming years.
With a series of promising youngsters and a few elite stars in their ranks, the Crows are now primed for improvement in 2022 and with a few additions over the off-season to facilitate their rise, it should be feeling optimistic about the future.
Off-season moves
Ins
Jordan Dawsonย (Sydney Swans, 2026),ย Luke Nankervisย (2022),ย Josh Racheleย (2023),ย Jake Soligoย (2023),ย Zac Taylorย (2022)
Outs
Ben Davisย (delisted),ย Bryce Gibbsย (retired),ย Jake Kellyย (Essendon Bombers),ย Tom Lynchย (delisted),ย David Mackayย (retired),ย Ronin O'Connorย (delisted),ย Daniel Taliaย (delisted)
Strengths
Midfield brigade: Despite the team having a torrid time in several encounters over the course of 2021, one thing that head coach Matthew Nicks can point to as a serious strength is Adelaide's engine room.
The midfield, consisting of best-and-fairest winner Rory Laird, Ben Keays, Rory Sloane, Paul Seedsman and Matt Crouch, is as solid as a group as you'd hope for in any side.
The ball-winning ability of the likes of Keays and Laird, as well as the run of Seedsman, is a potent pairing to have for coach Nicks, with the club finishing eighth in the competition for total contested possessions in season 2021.
Waiting in the wings are the likes of Brayden Cook, Lachie Sholl and Harry Schoenberg, with Jackson Hately hoping to kickstart his Adelaide career this year, meaning that the club has sound depth to combat any injuries that come about.
Crop of youngsters: With the high draft picks that the club have been thrown over the past few seasons, there have been some exciting prospects that have walked through the door at West Lakes.
2021's draft saw Pick 6 Josh Rachele come to the City of Churches before the Crows picked Josh Soligo and Zac Taylor at Picks 36 and 44 respectively. In the pre-season draft, mid-forward Luke Nankervis was also taken at Pick 4 from the footy factory at Sandringham Dragons.
All of these incomings are either midfielders or forwards, joining the likes of Riley Thilthorpe and Luke Pedlar as the club seemingly pursue an attack-minded style of recruitment.
With the Crows' offence lacking in 2021, it will be down to these new additions to inject some goals into the side throughout 2022 with some help from those already established within the team.
Small forward stocks: As mentioned before, the club has done a brilliant job of making sure their small forward stocks are kept high.
Shane McAdam, Sam Berry, James Rowe, Ned McHenry and Lachlan Murphy amongst others are all in contention week in, week out for a starting spot in the Crows side, with those names alone combining for 65 goals last year.
However, the main addition here is the aforementioned Josh Rachele who is rated extremely highly by recruiters nationwide. His ability to either play in midfield or down in attack and perform under pressure has many at the Crows firmly believing they've uncovered a genuine match-winner.
With 'Tex' Walker being out for the first few rounds of the season, the small forwards will have to step up and take some of the load come Round 1 and get their side off to a flyer.
