The Crows were flying high and mighty going into the 2017 AFL Grand Final but little did they know that the events that unfolded that day would put in motion the sinking of the club into mediocrity for the foreseeable future.
Fast forward to the present, and Adelaide have been through the wringer since that fateful final Saturday in September, however, things are now looking up ahead of what could potentially unfold over the coming years.
With a series of promising youngsters and a few elite stars in their ranks, the Crows are now primed for improvement in 2022 and with a few additions over the off-season to facilitate their rise, it should be feeling optimistic about the future.
Off-season moves
Ins
Jordan Dawson (Sydney Swans, 2026), Luke Nankervis (2022), Josh Rachele (2023), Jake Soligo (2023), Zac Taylor (2022)
Outs
Ben Davis (delisted), Bryce Gibbs (retired), Jake Kelly (Essendon Bombers), Tom Lynch (delisted), David Mackay (retired), Ronin O'Connor (delisted), Daniel Talia (delisted)
Last season
After falling so far from grace in season 2020, Adelaide had a much better year in 2021, starting the season off strong by winning three of their first five matches.
However, the first month of the season was where the club's dream of a rapid ascent back to the promised land ended, only winning a further four games for the year to just jump off the bottom of the ladder and finish in 15th.
The undoubted highlight of the Crows' season was their emphatic nail-biting win over eventual premiers Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval, with the final siren triggering scenes of pandemonium for a long-suffering set of fans.
The main focus of the year was the club's midfield, with the likes of Rory Laird, Paul Seedsman, Ben Keays and Rory Sloane pulling the strings for the side and leaving nothing in the tank no matter the result.
Taylor Walker was another surprise package up in the forward line. Still, his infamous racism controversy late on in the season marred what should have been a shining campaign for him.
