Adelaide Crows

Every AFL team’s best 23 for the 2024 season: Adelaide Crows

Poised to press their case for a finals finish next year, who will be the names to lead Adelaide back to September?

Published by
Mitch Keating

Finals football will be the main conversation among the Crows in 2024, having missed out on the top eight this year in a controversial conclusion to their campaign.

Senior coach Matthew Nicks has the group to steer Adelaide back to September despite a quieter off-season of recruitment.

Pick 8 selection Dan Curtin is the headline inclusion for the Crows, with the Western Australian defender set to join an extensive group of players aged 24 and under who will push for starting roles.

Adelaide's midfield mix will look to expand over the course of the pre-season, while opportunities in defence will be in high demand after some chopping and changing.

The Crows' potent forward line will be a force to be reckoned with in 2024 as a number of attacking options look to reach new heights.

Here's how the Crows could line up next year...

Defenders

Matthew Nicks' backline is the area that will undergo the biggest transformation in 2024, having lost Tom Doedee to Brisbane while stalwart Nick Murray will miss the start of the season with an ACL injury.

Murray will make his eventual return to Crows' spine, but his absence will open opportunities for the likes of Josh Worrell and James Borlase, while top draft recruit Dan Curtin is likely to see senior minutes early into the new season.

Jordon Butts is set to hold down the fort in Murray's early absence and could find a partner in Worrell for the first half of the year.

Max Michalanney will likely resume his lockdown role on the opposition's best small forwards after a promising debut campaign in 2023, while Brodie Smith and Wayne Milera will provide some run from the backline.

Adelaide Crow Max Michalanney (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

In a small stint this year, Irishman Mark Keane proved to show strong signs as an aerial threat down back, while potential recruit and fellow Irishman Karl Gallagher could add to Adelaide's defensive stocks.

Rookie Oscar Ryan will be afforded some time to develop his craft but will be another who can provide some run off half-back.

Midfielders

Captain Jordan Dawson and veteran Rory Laird will lead from the front once again next year, but their biggest supporter will likely emerge in 2024.

The Crows will be keen to discover who their next man up in midfield is, with Matt Crouch a possibility in wanting to prove his strong form in the back end of 2023 was no fluke. Former captain Rory Sloane is likely to retain a starting role, while Ben Keays is another who's set to share his duties between the middle and front thirds.

Forward Izak Rankine is likely to take on more midfield opportunities and could be the third-string ball-winner at centre stoppages, while fellow small forward Josh Rachele could share a similar role.

Mitch Hinge will likely slot into one-half of the wing partnership after a career-best season at West Lakes, with Chayce Jones or Wayne Milera potentially pushing up to take the other flanker, and Jake Soligo would be another who rotates up the wing.

Adelaide, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 5: Jordan Dawson of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 21 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Gold Coast SUNS at Adelaide Oval on August 5, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Lachie Sholl is another wingman to consider, while Harry Schoenberg is a chance to earn a starting role after a dominant year at the SANFL.

Reilly O'Brien will again lead the ruck department and will have the support of burgeoning big man Reilly Thilthorpe throughout.

Forwards

Veteran spearhead Taylor Walker will be looking to extend his 'fine wine' run of form after a maiden All-Australian season at the age of 33.

His understudy-turned-star Darcy Fogarty will be the equally commanding focal point in Matthew Nicks' forward structure after booting a career-high haul of 34 majors in 2023.

At their feet will be the lethal mosquito fleet of Izak Rankine, Josh Rachele and Luke Pedlar, who combined for 84 goals this year, while Ben Keays and Rory Sloane will provide further support from midfield.

Jake Soligo will be in his third season at West Lakes in 2024 and continues to get better each day, with the Crows flanker another name to watch out for next year.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 19: Jake Soligo of the Crows competes for the ball during the round 14 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium on June 19, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Riley Thilthorpe has continued to hone his forward craft and will again play a mix of tall forward and second-string ruckman.

The Crows signed Chris Burgess from Gold Coast, who will mount pressure on other forwards at selection, while Elliott Himmelberg will be looking to raise his value in a free-agent year.

Final 23

FB: Dan Curtin, Jordon Butts, Wayne Milera 
HB: 
Brodie Smith, Nick Murray, Max Michalanney
C: Mitch Hinge, Jordan Dawson, Chayce Jones
HF: Ben Keays, Taylor Walker, Jake Soligo
FF: Izak Rankine, Darcy Fogarty, Josh Rachele
FO: Reilly O'Brien, Rory Laird, Rory Sloane
I/C: Riley Thilthorpe, Lachie Murphy, Luke Pedlar, Josh Worrell
SUB: Ned McHenry

Also in the mix: Harry Schoenberg, Matt Crouch, Chris Burgess, Lachie Sholl, Mark Keane, Elliott Himmelberg

Published by
Mitch Keating