Selecting every AFL team's best 23 for 2026: Adelaide Crows

Adelaide had a quieter off-season compared to recent years gone by, with Matthew Nicks looking to refine his squad rather than bolster it off the back of a minor premiership-winning 2025 campaign. The Crows' sole trade period play saw them acquire seven-gamer Finnbar Maley from North Melbourne before two-time premiership Lion Callum Ah Chee walked to West Lakes via the Pre-Season Draft. The draft saw the South Australian club further add to its attacking options with two target forwards, which would prove to be its only two selections of the talent intake. With a number of players set to enter their prime and other Crows keen to break into the best 23, we take a look at Adelaide's best lineup for 2026. Defenders Adelaide's list build has seen Nicks take charge of one of the best defences in the game, if not the best. The club's tall defensive options could be unrivalled, with Mark Keane and Josh Worrell developing into All-Australian worthy names in 2025. Add them to the reliable pairing of Nick Murray and Jordon Butts, Injuries to the reliable pairing of Jordon Butts and Nick Murray have allowed the Crows to toy with different combinations on the last line, but when all four are fit, one is likely to fall on the outer at selection. Adelaide also has a sturdy smaller lockdown option in Max Michalanney, who continues to grow his game as a two-way weapon in defence. With Michalanney potentially in line for more minutes further up the field, where he can use his defensive strengths and clean kicking, young stopper Hugh Bond could have a larger role to play this year. [caption id="attachment_135691" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Adelaide Crow Max Michalanney (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)[/caption] Veteran Rory Laird returned to half-back last year and will likely retain his place in defence after a strong 2025 campaign, with the three-time best and fairest winner to be the veteran voice down back. Wayne Milera and Mitch Hinge will also offer some run out of the backline as the club's ideal distributors, however they'll have some selection pressure from the likes of Luke Nankervis, Charlie Edwards, Oscar Ryan and the aforementioned Bond. Midfielders A star-studded midfield on paper, but the Crows couldn't capitalise on their lineup of ball winners to end 2025. Captain Jordan Dawson will again be the main man in the middle and will seek greater support around him at the coalface. Izak Rankine might be the club's most damaging midfield, and should only increase his exposure in the engine room this year. The same can be said for Josh Rachele, who has continued to build his case as a starting onballer. Pure midfielder Jake Soligo started 2025 strong but faded in the second half, with the youngster now wanting to see greater consistency throughout his fifth year with the club. James Peatling proved to be an astute trade recruit over 12 months ago and will place some pressure on someone like Soligo to perform, while second-year midfielder Sid Draper is another looking to break into that top line. The wings seem pretty set, with utility Dan Curtin shining in that new role last year in his pairing alongside Isaac Cumming, with Milera and Hinge others to consider on the flanks. [caption id="attachment_163737" align="alignnone" width="2560"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 06: Daniel Curtin of the Crows during the 2025 AFL Round 13 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval on June 6, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)[/caption] After 19 games in 2025, Sam Berry could be on the periphery of the best 23, joining the likes of Lachie Sholl and Billy Dowling in needing to get the new season started on the right foot. The ruck reins will likely be resumed by Reilly O'Brien, but expect Lachie McAndrew to build his case for a senior call-up after being named in the SANFL Team of the Year as a dominant big man at the level. Despite the fifth interchange option coming into play this year, the Crows might not need to name two rucks, with Riley Thilthorpe a reliable pinch-hit option. However, should they want Thilthorpe as a forward full-time, then Maley might be a strong selection consideration. Forwards The spear may only be sharper this year, with the Crows securing the aforementioned Ah Chee for nothing over the off-season. The ex-Lion and Sun brings a point of difference to a front third that has plenty of firepower at ground level, with Rankine and Rachele still set to feature prominently. Alex Neal-Bullen adds a defensive edge to the attacking mix, while Ben Keays had the best goal return of any Crows small last year, kicking 36 majors from 25 games. The setup of Nicks' small forwards could leave Luke Pedlar at the reserves level, with the hard-nosed goalkicker potentially needing to reshape his game to get a good look at senior action in 2026. The talls just about pick themselves, with Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty set to form a lethal combination once again, having kicked 101 goals between them in 2025. [caption id="attachment_171816" align="alignnone" width="2560"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Riley Thilthorpe of the Crows celebrates a goal during the AFL First Qualifying Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Collingwood Magpies at Adelaide Oval on September 04, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Veteran sharpshooter Taylor Walker is the one to watch coming into his 19th season. The club's all-time leading goalkicker still managed 39 goals last year, but was a weakness at times as the Crows looked a touch too tall forward of the football. That's where Maley comes into the conversation, with his aggression and leap at the ball set to have Walker facing some heat, while he could also act as the backup ruck option to alleviate Thilthorpe from those duties. First-round draft pick Mitch Marsh might need some time to develop before a debut, but he looks like an ideal match for the Crows' forward line given his 192cm frame and ability to be just as damaging at ground level as he is in the air. Adelaide also selected Sandringham Dragons gun Archie Ludowyke at last year's draft, with the high-flying tall joining the likes of Tyler Welsh and Toby Murray as depth key forwards. Best 23 FB: Max Michalanney, Mark Keane, Josh Worrell HB: Wayne Milera, Nick Murray, Mitchell Hinge C: Isaac Cumming, Izak Rankine, Dan Curtin HF: Ben Keays, Darcy Fogarty, Alex Neal-Bullen FF: Taylor Walker, Riley Thilthorpe, Josh Rachele FO: Reilly O'Brien, Jordan Dawson, Jake Soligo I/C: James Peatling, Rory Laird, Callum Ah Chee, Sid Draper, Hugh Bond Stiff to miss: Luke Pedlar, Sam Berry, Jordon Butts, Zac Taylor, Luke Nankervis, Finnbar Maley

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

Selecting every AFL team’s best 23 for 2026: Adelaide Crows

Our best 23 series is underway, with the reigning minor premiers having some big calls to make.

Best 23

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

Flag or bust, finals bound, top 10 fancy: Each club’s pass...

Selecting every AFL team’s best 23 for 2026: Collingwood Magpies

The players at your AFL team who are set to miss...

Which AFL teams enter the 2026 season with the oldest and...

“Extremely sad”: Former North Melbourne player tragically dies

FOLLOW US