Adelaide is in the market for its third flag, but the Crows need to trade in some talent to contend.
The 2025 minor premiers have dipped in 2026, but have shown glimpses of their potential at times as a serious club.
At the end of the day, Matthew Nicks' men will probably only finish outside of the top four due to percentage. Albeit likely in a Wildcard Round spot.
That proves how tight the top end of the ladder is, and how the right trade moves could unlock the very best version of the Crows.
Here is who we think at Zero Hanger Adelaide should target in the upcoming trade period.
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
This would be reliant on Essendon and Hawthorn failing to get a trade done for a second consecutive off-season.
Merrett is exactly the type of silky yet tough player that would slot straight into the Crows' engine room.
The 30-year-old has given his all to the Bombers, and is likely to win his seventh best-and-fairest at Essendon this year. But he is determined to win a flag, or at least a final, and Adelaide could be the perfect club to help Merrett do that.
The star midfielder is signed on until the end of 2027, so a trade to appease the Bombers would have to be done.
But after missing out on Merrett in the past, and Christian Petracca last season, Adelaide will be determined to land a big fish.
The midfield, even with the likes of Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine, needs another A-grader rolling through who has a bit of dog about them to help drag the club up the ladder.
