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)
Breakout Player
A youngster's first year at AFL level is often the most difficult year in terms of adjusting to life at the very top, so 2022 should be the year that star forward Riley Thilthorpe kicks on and becomes a core part of the Adelaide setup.
The 19-year-old managed 18 goals from 14 games in 2021, and his massive two-metre frame means that he has the potential to mature into one of the great superstars of the competition should everything go to plan.
With this year's big arrival in Josh Rachele joining the Crows camp in 2022, Thilthorpe will have another young gun to bond with inside the forward 50, with fireworks set to ensue if they both turn it on.
