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Adelaide’s top 10 players of the decade

Who were the best players of the past 10 years at West Lakes?

Published by
Brodie Hoyne

The decade has been a tumultuous time for the Crows - a salary cap breach, the tragic passing of a coach and a grand final apprentice all wrapped up in a just a 10-year period.

During this time the Crows managed to unearth some champions, as well as some who fly under the radar but inevitably make major contributions to the team come game-day.

Zero Hanger takes a look at the top 10 players of the decade at the Adelaide Crows.

Sam Jacobs

Jacobs has been Adelaide's first string ruckman since 2011 and hadn't come close to being dethroned until this season. Three Showdown medals as well as coming astonishingly close to an All-Australian in 2015 and 2017 has Jacobs in the top bracket.

BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Sam Jacobs of the Crows and Tim English of the Bulldogs compete in a ruck contest during the 2019 AFL round 23 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Adelaide Crows at Mars Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Tom Lynch

'The Connector' is one of Adelaide's most important players - A vital piece of the Crows' gameplan. A Showdown medal in 2016, as well as being the last Crows player to kick 10 goals in a game are just some of his accolades, although it's his workrate on game day that is a true testament to his ability. Adelaide are a better team when Lynch is playing.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Tom Lynch of the Crows looks on during the 2017 AFL round 11 match between the Geelong Cats and the Adelaide Crows at Simonds Stadium on June 02, 2017 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Scott Thompson

An absolute workhorse for the Crows, Thompson's ability to find the ball was astounding. A career spanning over 300 games, he averaged over 20 touches in every season with the Crows bar one - his final campaign. His best years came during the decade where he won two Malcolm Blight medals, and All-Australia jacket in 2012 and a Showdown medal in 2015.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Scott Thompson of the Crows looks upfield during the round 16 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on July 7, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Taylor Walker

Captain since 2015, Walker has been arguably the face of the Adelaide Crows this decade. Often has quiet games but when he's on he's on. Check out his game against Fremantle in the semi-final in 2012 - five clutch goals that rescued Adelaide from a shock defeat. It's a great example of what he is capable of. Club leading goal-kicker in 2011 and 2012 as well as the AFLPA's best captain in 2016 and 2017.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Taylor Walker of the Crows runs out for the round 17 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium on July 13, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Matt Crouch

An All-Australian (2017), a Malcolm Blight medalist and a Showdown medalist - and he's only 24. The sky is the limit for the crafty left footer. 'The accumulator' has averaged over 30 touches for the past three seasons and doesn't look like slowing down soon. If he can work on his ball-use then expect Crouch to be in the game's top five players in the coming years.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Matt Crouch of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 20 match between the Adelaide Crows and the St Kilda Saints at the Adelaide Oval on August 03, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Rory Laird

The small defender is a ball magnet averaging over 20 disposals per game since 2015 including an average of 32 in 2018. At Just 25, Laird is already a 2x All-Australian (2017,18) and a Malcolm Blight Medalist. A vital cog in the Crows' defence, you'd expect his stock is only going to rise from here on out.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Rory Laird of the Crows handballs during the 2018 AFL round 22 match between the Adelaide Crows and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval on August 19, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Eddie Betts

Adelaide's best recruit of the past 10 years, Betts is a player that get the turnstiles spinning. Arguably the greatest small forward to ever play the game, Betts crossed over to the Crows in 2014 and since then he has been a 3x All-Australian (2015, 2016, 2017), a 4x Adelaide leading goal-kicker and not to mention a 2x Goal of the Year winner in the red, gold and blue.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Eddie Betts of the Crows celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2019 AFL round 21 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium on August 11, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Daniel Talia

Some might say an interesting pick at No.3 but truly deserved. Daniel Talia has been one of the game's best defenders of the decade. The general of the Crows' defence, Talia has moulded players such as Jake Lever, Tom Doedee and Alex Keath who all seem destined to be excellent defenders in their own right. Frequently gets the job done against the game's great forwards and rarely beaten one on one. A 2x All-Australian and a Malcolm Blight medalist, Talia stands firm as Adelaide's most important player.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06: Daniel Talia of the Crows handballs whilst being tackled by Jack Higgins of the Tigers during the round 16 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Adelaide Crows at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 6, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Patrick Dangerfield

Had Dangerfield chosen to stay, he would clearly be number one. A champion of the game, Dangerfield's five years with the Crows during the decade were fantastic. With the Crows he was a 3x All-Australian, a Malcolm Blight Medalist and a Showdown medalist. A player who clearly wore the jumper with pride and if you don't think so, check out his performance for the Crows against Hawthorn in the semi-final in 2015. All but headed to Geelong and still wore his heart on his sleeve in a 74-point loss. A testament to his ability and character.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 30: Patrick Dangerfield of the Crows in action during the 2015 AFL round 22 match between the Adelaide Crows and the West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia on August 30, 2015. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Rory Sloane

Sloane has been one of the game's great players over the past 10 years. Current co-captain, All-Australian in 2016, 2x Malcolm Blight medalist and a Robert Rose medal for the game's most courageous player. Sloane's grit and resilience is frequently the barometer for the Crows. Since the departure of Dangerfield, he has stepped up to take the lead as Adelaide's premium mid. Wears the jumper with pride week in week out, admired by fans and peers alike; Sloane has been the Crows' best player of the decade.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Rory Sloane of the Crows leaves the field with a suspected eye injury during the round 21 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium on August 11, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Published by
Brodie Hoyne