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)
Prediction
With the recruitment they've done over the summer plus the strides they took in 2021, it's hard to see Adelaide clinching the wooden spoon for the second time in three years.
Instead, anything below their finishing position last year would be a failure in Matthew Nicks' eyes, with 2021 teaching him and his coaching staff plenty about what direction they should proceed in.
Another pre-season under the belt of Adelaide's young guns only serves to better their footballing ability, and should hopefully translate to a holistic improvement within the side.
Predicted position: 17th
