SEN Breakfast co-host Tim Watson believes Adelaide are a "lock" for a top four position in 2019, despite missing out on a finals berth last season.
The Crows struggled after making the 2017 grand final and finished in 12th last year, but Watson is bullish on Adelaide's chances this time around.
โThe Adelaide Crows, if they donโt have some unbelievable bad luck, they are a lock for the top four,โ Watson toldย SEN Breakfast.
โThey are back to their absolute best.
โTheyโre every bit as good as any of (Collingwood, Melbourne, West Coast, Richmond and GWS).
โRichmondโs going to be there when the whips are cracking, Melbourneโs going to be there, Collingwoodโs going to be there, West Coastโs going to be there, GWS too โ thereโs six teams.
โThatโs why last week I said Essendon would finish seventh. Thereโs six teams better than them.โ
The Crows kicked off their JLT campaign with a 17-point win over Port Adelaide on Saturday afternoon, as veteran Eddie Betts led the way with four goals, while the Crouch brothers amassed 61 disposals between them.
Adelaide will travel to New South Wales to face GWS next Friday night to round out the pre-season, before hosting Hawthorn in Round 1.
