Adelaide has been urged to avoid being "stagnant" from a list perspective despite finishing the home and away season as the minor premiers.
This week's episode of The Hitout placed a focus on the Crows' disappointing finals exit, with the South Australian club now left to watch on as the final four teams battle it out for the premiership.
The Hawks, Magpies, Cats, and Lions all find themselves still in contention after years of aggressive list management, while still competing - a position the Crows should strive to achieve.
"I'd like to see them get really aggressive in the off-season," Mitch Keating said on The Hitout.
"They had a really big off-season last year, but it doesn't mean you can't have two in a row.
"You look at the four teams playing prelims this weekend... Collingwood after their grand final victory (in 2023) went and got Lachie Schultz. Geelong at the end (of 2022) got Jack Bowes and Ollie Henry, and then Bailey Smith, while they're still competing. Hawthorn are talking to Zach Merrett in the middle of a finals run. Brisbane getting Tom Doedee, Oscar Allen and Sam Draper while they're at the top.
"I'd like to see Adelaide try and lure a big fish. The off-contract crop isn't great, but what we're seeing more and more, almost one in three players who move clubs were contracted.
"I'd love Adelaide to get a bit aggressive just to keep that build going. Don't be stagnant or happy with what you've got."
Talk surrounding the future of Essendon captain Zach Merrett being open to a move elsewhere might be a prime example of the Crows ruffling the feathers of fellow contenders.
While Hawthorn is viewed as the likely landing spot for Merrett, the Crows, at the very least, should be throwing their hat into the ring.
"I think it's perfect for him to go there," The Hitout host Phoenix Trinidad said of Merrett and the Crows.
"One, they're going to be contending the next few years. And two, with both Adelaide and Merrett, I don't think I've seen a club or person so quickly become the villain.
"They should both just lean in as the bad guys. Merrett to Adelaide, win a premiership, everyone hates them."
You can watch the full episode of The Hitout below, or head to Zero Hanger's YouTube channel.
