Opening Round kicks off on Thursday and the pre-season has provided plenty of answers, but certain questions can't be answered until the real stuff starts.
Zero Hanger has outlined a topic likely to garner plenty of discussion at each club in the first month of the season.
18Adelaide Crows
The ruck personnel
It seems increasingly likely that Lachie McAndrew's height, reach and leap will win him the Crows' starting ruck position over long-time servant and leadership group member Reilly O'Brien. The ruck rule changes have quelled the impact of O'Brien with selection in practice matches indicating that McAndrew will be at the centre stoppage in Round 1. It's a massive show of faith from the Crows to insert a new ruck into a side which should theoretically be contending in 2026 given he is yet to play at AFL level. It will be interesting to watch how he competes and how well he gels with a midfield group that was beaten up last September despite a fine season.
