While looking to contend for the premiership this year, Adelaide could add more exciting talent to their growing list at the draft, as local prospects, club-tied names and list needs set to be part of the Crows' AFL Draft plans for 2025.
The Crows, ahead of Round 14, hold Picks 16, 41, 48, 52, 66 and 70 for November's draft, looking to add to their recent first-round selections of Sid Draper, Dan Curtin, Charlie Edwards, Oscar Ryan and Max Michalaney from the past three drafts alone.
Adelaide will have at least one "headline name" in the form of linked prospects, with Gippsland Power flanker Mitch Stevens, the son of ex-Crow Mark, a Vic Country squad member this year.
The promising half-back/midfielder hybrid looks likely to join 2024 draftee Tyler Welsh in landing at Adelaide via the father-son rule.
"He's the headline name to keep an eye on for Crows fans," Craft of the Draft's Mitch Keating said on this week's episode, analysing Adelaide's potential draft plans.
"He'll add to something they're trying to build over at West Lakes, so he'll be one to tick off.
"That Pick 16 option will be the main talking point if they hold onto it through to the draft. But what's a list need for the Crows? Do they look at a ruck? Just maybe a more youthful option for them going forward.
"Maybe more midfield depth or maybe their small forwards. If they want Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele as long-term midfielders, then are they going to address another small forward? Or do they go the other way and look at some midfield depth?"
The Crows could again look local, with their only selections of Draper and Welsh last year coming from South Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens respectively.
Sturt wingman Harley Barker and Central District ball-winner Matt LeRay could both suit a list need in adding some outside midfield talent to Matthew Nicks' squad, with the wingmen both among the best performers in South Australia's undefeated start to the U18s Championships.
Eastern Ranges small forward Lachy Dovaston is another who could be considered by the Crows given their potential desire to add some more ground-level threat to their attacking third.
"Wingers are what I would target from an Adelaide perspective," Craft of the Draft analyst Jonty Ralphsmith said.
"They have a really sound midfield base in terms of that centre stoppage three, I like where that's sort of going.
"A winger, someone who is able to use it really well, Harley Barker and Matt LeRay have shown that they're precisely that. Disciplined role players and quite good aerially who can play midfield but are more so specialist wingers.
"They probably need to look at some small forwards. But in a draft crop where small forwards are few and far between, particularly because so many of them are club tied, you've probably only got Lachy Dovaston at that elite end."
You can watch the full breakdown of Adelaide's draft plans below, or catch this week's full episode of Craft of the Draft on Zero Hanger's YouTube Channel.
