Five trade targets for EVERY AFL club: Adelaide Crows

Adelaide have emerged as a premiership contender in 2023 thanks to their trusted development in high-end draftees, trade recruitment and reliable veterans that are steering Matthew Nicks' side toward September.

The South Australian side is home to one of the younger lists in the competition and looks to be getting stronger as the year goes on, however there are areas the Crows could consider to bolster for 2024.

In the first part of our club-by-club AFL trade targets series, we've taken a look at the potential off-contract players Adelaide could look to attract to West Lakes

The Crows have flagged their interest in South Australian talent that could be made available this off-season, and that's the path we've taken in assessing their potential trade targets in 2023.

Mason Redman

An obvious name to begin the Crows' list, with the Essendon defender heavily tied to Adelaide this year as he continues to weigh up his future at Tullamarine.

There's not exactly a 'go home factor' for Redman and the South Australian capital city, with the Bombers backman growing up in Millicent - a country town almost in the middle of Adelaide and Melbourne.

That hasn't halted the Crows' interest in Redman however, with the restricted free agent a suitable off-season target for the West Lakes-based club to try and pry out of Bomberland.

With a free agent of their own in Tom Doedee gaining external interest, the Crows could quickly fill a void in their rearguard if Doedee was to depart at the end of this year, with Redman a suitable asset to consider.

His hard-nosed game style, intercepting prowess and leadership would be greatly welcomed by Adelaide, who have managed to get the best out of recent trade recruits Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine in recent years.

Bailey Williams

The Crows have already been tied to Williams amid reportedly stale contract talks between the South Australian and his current club.

The Bulldogs utility is another Victorian-based free agent that could consider a move back to his home state and do so through a move to Adelaide.

Williams is a Swiss Army knife for Luke Beveridge, able to hold down an outside role across all three lines of the field.

The 25-year-old is averaging 17.9 disposals so far in 2023 - the second-highest season ball-winning rate of his career behind a breakout 2018 campaign, with Williams also good for 5.9 marks, 2.5 inside 50s and 4.4 score involvements each outing.

The Brighton District junior is also moving the ball as cleanly as he ever has across his eight years at the Kennel with a disposal efficiency rating of 79.6%.

Williams could be a versatile trade target for the Crows to consider, with his addition likely to alleviate the likes of Jordan Dawson to play more inside midfield time or be used as a successor to Brodie Smith at half-back.

With questions over Paul Seedsman's future amid a battle with concussion, Williams could only fill a void if Seedsman is to leave the game at the end of this year.

Josh Carmichael

With the Crows continuing to add youth and edge to their exciting squad, Carmichael would fit the bill as a cheaper option that can add selection pressure across Matthew Nicks' midfield and attacking thirds.

Carmichael was drafted out of West Adelaide through last year's Mid-Season Draft off the back of a scintillating campaign in the SANFL with the Bloods, however he's since found opportunities hard to come by in 2023 due to the rise and shift among Craig McRae's all-star midfield pack.

The 23-year-old has played in just one game under McRae this year, coming into the Magpies' Round 8 clash with Richmond as the tactical sub.

Carmichael has performed exceptionally at VFL level as he looks to break into the senior side at Olympic Park, averaging  21.7 disposals, 4.5 clearances, 4.4 clearances and 1.1 goals per game this year.

Able to play an attacking inside midfield role and rotate as a deeper forward threat, Carmichael could be a bargain buy for the Crows given his expiring contract.

Ash Johnson

Another forward target might not be atop Adelaide's wishlist this year, but Johnson would certainly be an appealing prospect for the club to consider.

The athletic key forward would be a suitable partner for powerful spearhead Darcy Fogarty in attack, and could also act as a pinch-hit ruck option alongside developing tall Riley Thilthorpe.

A move to West Lakes would also see Johnson reunite with his brother Shane McAdam, with the pair both having spent time at Sturt in the SANFL prior to earning AFL contracts.

Johnson is currently unsigned for 2024 and is another name understood to be garnering interest from rival clubs, with the Crows potentially among the list of keen suitors.

The 25-year-old isn't a staple in Collingwood's senior side and could find greater opportunities in Adelaide as the club looks toward life after Taylor Walker.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher

Much like his close teammate Mason Redman, Zerk-Thatcher is an off-contract South Australian who is yet to secure his future beyond 2023 at Essendon despite a career-best campaign this year.

Zerk-Thatcher was perhaps considered a fringe player midway through 2022, but since his return to the club in Round 16 of last year he's emerged as a reliable key position defender in the red and black.

The Sturt and Imperial Murray Bridge product has played in 13 games and shown further signs of his value to Essendon, while the Crows could also come calling if a contract isn't sorted anytime soon.

While already home to the impenetrable pairing of Nick Murray and Jordon Butts, the addition of Zerk-Thatcher would give the Crows some stability and security in their backline with a three-pronged key-position structure.

Coupled with the aforementioned potential departure of Tom Doedee, a hole could be open in Nicks' back third that Zerk-Thatcher would be able to fill.