An early spot in the AFL Draft order headlines Adelaide's plans for next month's intake, with the Crows holding just two 2024 selections in the wake of an active trade window.
Another season without September action has seen the West Lakes club well-placed in the draft and preparing to add to their emerging list with top-line draft talent, while the club has the flexibility to move back into this year's draft given their suite of selections for 2025.
Adelaide will be mindful of a likely father-son bid come the second night of this year's draft as well, with the club needing to get its ducks aligned to have the points required to match a rival's play, should one come.
Some clear list needs have been filled already this off-season, but there are areas the Crows can strengthen through the draft in what is hoped to be a defining period for the South Australians.
Draft Hand
Picks: 4, 64
A busy trade window has left the Crows with just a pair of picks, one of which will give them access to a top five prospect in this year's crop.
Pick 4 will see Adelaide use their sixth top 10 selection in seven years, with their place toward the front of the queue in 2024 likely seeing them take a midfielder with their top selection for the first time in a while.
Pick 64 might not be enough for a father-son bid that could be required late into the draft, but the Crows do have three future third-round picks and a pair of future fourth-round selections they can use to get back into this year's count.
List Needs
Midfield Firepower:ย Matthew Nicks' engine room ensemble underwent a transformation in 2024 as the club opened the door for Izak Rankine and Jake Soligo to help steer the ship and offer some much-needed pace through the middle. Their increased opportunities saw less of a reliance on veteran contested workers Rory Laird and Matt Crouch, who will still be required next year but may have to find other roles to rotate through. Adding in Rory Sloane's departure, the Crows will enter the next phase of their midfield facelift, with Pick 4 being an avenue that could see them add speed and flair to a midfield looking to reach a higher gear.
Ruck Depth:ย Whether the club sees Riley Thilthorpe as their first-string ruckman for the future or as a key forward asset, Adelaide will need to bolster their ruck stocks sometime soon. Reilly O'Brien found himself on the outer at selection this year and Kieran Strachan couldn't quite capitalise on his chance, compounding the need for the Crows to look at who can take the mantle in the years to come.
Outside Dash:ย The addition of GWS free agent Isaac Cumming looks to be one move that will aid the Crows' hopes of finding some more run and spread across the back half and on the wing, but some extra depth that can come through the ranks in the future might be on Adelaide's hit list. Luke Nankervis quickly developed into a key cog in the absence of Wayne Milera this year, with the uncapped Oscar Ryan the only other young rebounding backman on the list as Max Michalanney explores a move further up the field.
Potential Targets
Sid Draper:ย South Australia's top prospect of 2024, Draper is the exact type of midfielder the Crows are currently lacking, with his cunning craft and speed likely to complement the likes of Soligo, Rankine and Jordan Dawson. The South Adelaide talent played half a dozen games for the Panthers's senior side in the SANFL this year and averaged 22.2 disposals, 4.7 clearances, 4.5 score involvements and 6.2 tackles as one of the top performers in a struggling side. Pick 4 would be used on Draper, while Oakleigh Chargers jet Jagga Smith would be another to consider.
Tyler Welsh:ย The Crows' father-son prospect, being the son of premiership player and four-time leading goalkicker Scott Welsh. A powerful forward at 191cm, Welsh managed eight goals at the U18s National Championships and went at a goal per game for the Crows's SANFL side from 10 appearances. A bid for Welsh is likely to come in the second half of the draft, while Adelaide are yet to confirm their father-son nomination for the Woodville-West Torrens product.
Alex Dodson: A third Croweater for the Crows to consider, Dodson is the standout ruck option in this year's class of prospects. Dodson's range falls close to Pick 20, meaning Adelaide would need to move back into the draft to land the Sturt young gun. With an extensive range of 2025 picks at their disposal, the Crows might just have the capital to get back into the queue after Pick 4 and before a Welsh bid comes. Dodson averaged 20.8 disposals, 24.9 hitouts, 7.4 hitouts to advantage and 4.6 clearances per game for the Double Blues' U18s this year. Over-age Western Jets talent Lucas Impey is another ruck option to keep an eye on, likely as a rookie draft selection.
