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)
Defining Period
A six-week period from Rounds 12 up to 18 is set to shape where the Crows finish up this year, with the club likely to be battling to stay out of the wooden spoon race come the mid-point of the year.
Games at home to West Coast, Melbourne and Collingwood will be pivotal and getting two victories from those three would be classed as big results in the grand scheme of things. The Crows will have to travel to the Gold Coast and Tasmania to play the Suns and Roos, before heading to the 'G in Round 17 to lock horns with Sam Mitchell's Hawks.
Winning half of the six games they play in that period would be a massive morale-lifter for the side as they aim to make even more progress this year relative to last season.
