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.
Josh Draper (Fremantle)
The young Fremantle key defender hit the ground running and became a feature of the Dockers' side quicker than most would have expected.
Having come through Fremantle's Next Generation Academy, Draper played 20 games in his second season in 2024, before 11 the year after.
This year, he has been stuck behind the likes of Alex Pearce, Brennan Cox, Heath Chapman, Luke Ryan and Oscar McDonald, and is yet to feature at AFL level.
Standing at 197cm, he is a mobile key defender with great athleticism and has had tutelage from some of the league's best defenders while playing in the AFL's statistically best defence.
He is also battling for a spot with fellow young key defender Hugh Davies, who the Dockers see as the long-term future of their defence, and he has recently signed a two-year contract extension.
This means the 22-year-old could be looking for a move for more playing time and could find a home as part of Adelaide's defence. It would be on the condition that Crows key defenders Nick Murray and Jordon Butts leave this off-season.
