With a trio of first-round selections for November's AFL Draft, the Crows will have plenty to work with on the opening night of this year's count.
The Crows are expected to make the leap into the September conversation in 2024 after a heart-breaking finish to this year's campaign, which showed plenty of promise and power under senior coach Matthew Nicks.
Recruitment of local South Australian talent is unlikely to match up with the Crows' early draft hand, with this year's leading croweater tied to Hawthorn as a father-son prospect.
Some draft planning will have emerging 2024 father-son-tied key forward Tyler Welsh, son of Scott, in mind as they look to assess their list needs for the future.
With some fine-tuning needed to keep the Crows on a course back to premiership contention, we've analysed the list needs Adelaide could look to fill and the draft prospect that might be able to help them.
Draft Hand
Picks:ย 10, 14, 20
The Crows managed to acquire band two compensation for the loss of free agent Tom Doedee, which pocketed them Pick 20 for this year's draft to be their third selection for the opening round.
They netted Pick 14 from the Suns (originally Melbourne's) during the trade period to allow themselves three bites of the apple on the opening night of November's draft.
It's anticipated that their earliest selection could fall back as many as three spots in the queue with Academy or father-son bids, while their later two picks might be pushed back four or five spots overall.
The Crows are keen to advance their place in the pecking order and might look to package Picks 14 and 20, and their 2024 first-round selection, to do so.
List Needs
Inside Onballer:ย The Crows are keen to add to their engine room and complement the likes of Rory Laird and Jordan Dawson on the inside. The club's recruitment team noted they're after a third contested ball-winner, as shown in their short interest in Melbourne's Clayton Oliver, and could find that piece through the draft.
Outside Run:ย Whether it be on the wings or across half-back, some additional ball-carrying and clean disposal on the periphery might be in Adelaide's sights as they look to go a few steps further and break into the top eight from 2024. The loss of Paul Seedsman and an ageing Brodie Smith might leave the Crows to consider their options out wide.
Ruck Support:ย The Crows have senior their ruck pieces in play, with first-string tall Reilly O'Brien leading the charge while gaining support from burgeoning big man Riley Thilthorpe - who could blossom into a leading ruck-forward hybrid in the years to come. Their only other ruckman is Kieran Strachan, who, while being among the SANFL's best big men, is as old as O'Brien. Another young ruckman to learn from O'Brien might be an avenue the Crows head down as they potentially look to find Thilthorpe's long-term partner.
Potential Targets
Darcy Wilson: When it comes to outside midfielders, Wilson is arguably the most enticing among this year's crop. With the Crows likely entering the draft outside of the top 10, Wilson will be right in their range if their hand remains the same. The Murray Bushrangers ball-winner is a classy operator on the wing and has the tank to run out games, highlighted by his second-place finish in the 2km time trial at October's AFL Combine. Other players to consider will be Eastern Ranges midfielder Caleb Windsor or Western Australian defender Riley Hardeman.
Harry DeMattia:ย A two-way midfield force, the Dandenong Stingrays onballer is equally damaging in the contest as he is on the defensive end of stoppages. His explosiveness is a real highlight, with DeMattia a fierce presence with his tackling and ability to burst away from the pack. The Crows could also consider GWV Rebels midfielder-defender George Stevens for some impact on the inside.
Will Green:ย Looking at the pool of ruck talent, Green will be right in the mix for Adelaide's third draft selection late into the opening round. Standing at 204cm, the Northern Knights ruckman can find enough of the ball to help on the offensive end through midfield. Another player the Crows might move for to add ruck depth is Fremantle NGA talent and Peel Thunder tall Mitch Edwards.
