Adelaide will enter the new season hoping to make their mark on the premiership race, with a handful of new recruits and the maturity of their emerging ranks set to buoy their finals chances in 2025.
The Crows were one of the more aggressive sides over the off-season, bringing in experienced talent to help with their tilt for a top eight spot.
Their new arrivals land at West Lakes at the same time the club's younger contingent prepares to reach new heights, while another top 10 draft star will also look to make his mark.
Ahead of a new campaign, we look at how the Crows could suit up for the 2025 season by listing their best side of 23 players.
Our Best 23 for 2025 series will include players unavailable for the start of the season, only excluding players who are expected to miss most/all of the season through injury/suspension.
2. Midfielders
Matthew Nicks' engine room should be a quicker and more nimble ensemble than what has led the West Lakes crew in recent seasons.
Skipper Jordan Dawson should be a full-time presence in midfield and will find complementary teammates Jake Soligo and Izak Rankine alongside him at most centre bounces.
Both Rankine and Soligo will challenge Dawson as the Crows' first-string ball-winner, as could new recruit James Peatling, who has arrived from GWS after widespread interest in his services.
Fellow Giant-turned-Crow Isaac Cumming might hold a wing role after making his return to South Australia, with Lachie Sholl's late-season 2024 form seeing him slot onto the other flank.
Veteran Rory Laird could be in line for more defensive duties as the Crows place priorities on pace in midfield, but the club's 2024 clearances leader should still be a big part of the midfield mix.
Pick 4 selection Sid Draper is the new kid on the block, with the South Adelaide junior tipped to contend for a starting role from Round 1 after a stellar six-game spell in the SANFL last year.
The lively midfielder will add pace and poise on the ball and could get close to a 20-game maiden season, while duo Billy Dowling and Zac Taylor should also get more looks after promising debut seasons last year.
As for the ruck department, Reilly O'Brien should again be the focal point but will have greater help from Riley Thilthorpe throughout the year. Back-up Kieran Strachan has been dealt a delayed started to the coming season and will likely remain on the fringes.
