The likes of Jordan Dawson, Josh Rachele and Izak Rankine often receive the praise when Adelaide win, but on Saturday afternoon a murder of Crows proved they are equally responsible for the club's recent fortunes.
Gangly ruck Lachlan McAndrew has been well-spoken about this year as the new ruck rules have allowed him to compete and thrive against the league's best.
Standing at 210cm, McAndrew has been revolutionary in Adelaide's engine room and was huge against Melbourne's Max Gawn in Round 15.
The Crows signed McAndrew during the 2025 supplementary signing period, gaining the talented tall for free.
This season he has proven his worth and against the Dees he demonstrated his toughness and fortitude.
After going down with a heavy knock to his jaw in the third quarter, McAndrew returned to play a pivotal role in the last quarter against Gawn and the Demons.
Another Crow who arrived at the club recently for a packet of chips was Hugo Hall-Kahan.
The 22-year-old - like McAndrew was once on Sydney's list - arrived during the 2026 mid-season draft in late May. He has since played three consecutive games for the Crows and has immediately added speed and class to the half-back line.
Against the Demons, he was brilliant with 23 disposals at 87 per cent efficiency, 18 kicks and nine marks.
He is now averaging 20.6 disposals per game and has already made the Crows look a better side.
A third winning roughie has been the acquisition of Mark Keane as a key defender for Adelaide.
While his stature grew in 2025, his first game back in the AFL from a shocking leg break earlier in the year proved how influential he is to the side's line up, defence and counter attack.
Against Melbourne, he had nine intercept possessions, two contested marks, six score involvements, 22 disposals (at 77.3 efficiency) 18 kicks, 10 marks and five tackles.
Keane arrived at Adelaide after spending time at Collingwood before returning home to County Cork in Ireland.
The Crows then signed him like McAndrew as an SSP selection in 2023.
This trio of free-hit pick ups by Adelaide are now key cogs in the Crows machine. A machine which is making a second half of the season charge towards a top four spot and return to finals after winning the minor premiership in 2025.
