The Crows will enter the 2022 season with overflowing optimism as they continue in their strategic list rebuild under senior coach Matthew Nicks.
Having placed great attention on recruiting from the draft, as well as acquiring Swans gun Jordan Dawson via the past trade window, the Crows were able to prolifically add to their youthful squad ahead of another year that is set to show great examples of hope for the future.
Having culled veteran pair Tom Lynch and Daniel Talia early into their off-season, Adelaide sent a clear message of their intentions as they shape a return to premiership contention.
With both new and old faces set to lead the charge in 2022, we take a look at how the Adelaide Crows' best 22 might look ahead of Round 1.
Ins: Jordan Dawson, Josh Rachele, Jake Soligo,ย Zac Taylor, Luke Nankervis
Outs:ย Bryce Gibbsย (retired),ย Jake Kellyย (Essendon Bombers),ย Tom Lynchย (delisted),ย David Mackayย (retired),ย Ronin O'Connorย (delisted),ย Daniel Talia (delisted), Tyson Stengle (delisted)
Defenders
While losing Jake Kelly is sure to open a sizeable void in defence, the Crows are set to welcome the returns of Wayne Milera and Luke Brown from long-term injuries, with the former having not featured for Adelaide since Round 2, 2020.
Jordon Butts' trajectory has placed the 22-year-old on a path to stardom at West Lakes, having been among the five Crows to feature in all 22 matches last year while showing plenty of poise in Nicks' defensive third.
Future captain Tom Doedee will be hoping to evade injuries as he eyes consecutive seasons of good health, while the likes of Chayce Jones, Paul Seedsman, Lachlan Sholl, Nick Murray and top recruit Jordan Dawson are also set to see minutes through the backline.
Midfielders
The aforementioned Dawson is set to play a major role out wide for the Crows in his first season at the club, pairing with Seedsman to forge a lethal wing pairing.
The duo are sure to compliment the club's prolific contested ball-wining ensemble of Rory Laird, Ben Keays and Rory Sloane.
Nicks' engine room will also regain Matt Crouch from injury, with the All-Australian onballer having been a constant presence in the Crows' casualty ward throughout the course of the past 12 months.
With a new emerging era in the likes of Ned McHenry, Jones, Harry Schoenberg, Lachlan Sholl, Josh Rachele, Zac Taylor and Jake Soligo also vying for midfield minutes, Adelaide won't be short on options in the centre.
The Crows will also be hoping to see major strides taken by Jackson Hately this year, with the former Giant having managed just the three appearances in his first year in South Australia.
Reilly O'Brien is set to continue to lead with the ruck duties, while young tall Riley Thilthorpe is destined to see an increase of reps in his ruck workload in 2022.
Forwards
Veteran Taylor Walker will return to the Crows' attack in Round 4 after serving the second half of his six-week suspension, opening early opportunities for the likes of Darcy Fogarty, Thilthorpe and Elliott Himmelberg to make an early case for selection.
The Crows' small-froward stocks have been bolstered by the acquisition of Josh Rachele, who is a talismatic forward with an accurate eye for goal. The Murray Bushrangers product is sure to pair well with high-flying forward Shane McAdam for the years to come.
Nicks will also be able to utilise a plethora of names through his half-forward line, with Taylor being among those to keep an eye out for. The Calder draftee could be a key name for the Crows by season's end, however a long line of goalsneaks are currently placed ahead of him in the pecking order.
Young duo Sam Berry and James Rowe will be keen to back up their impressive rookie campaigns of yesteryear, while Lachie Murphy is on the mend with a neck injury and could line up for their Crows in their Round 1 bout against Fremantle in mid-March.
Best 22
FB: Brodie Smith, Jordon Butts, Luke Brown
HB: Wayne Milera, Tom Doedee, Chayce Jones
C: Jordan Dawson, Ben Keays, Paul Seedsman
HF: Darcy Fogarty, Taylor Walker, Harry Schoenberg
FF: Shane McAdam, Riley Thilthorpe, Josh Rachele
FO: Reilly O'Brien, Rory Laird, Rory Sloane
I/C: Matt Crouch, Lachlan Sholl, Lachie Murphy, Ned McHenry
EMERG: Jackson Hately, James Rowe, Nick Murray, Sam Berry
