Squad Breakdown: Adelaide Crows SC roster analysis

• BARGAIN BUYS: Assessing the midfield cheapie crop
• TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: 2021 runner-up drops squad reveal

The Crows finished 15^th on the ladder last season with seven wins.

They would be hoping to improve on that, however they have key suspensions and injuries which will make life tough for them, especially in the early rounds where they also have tough fixtures. 

Even so, they have numerous Supercoach relevant players, so let’s check them out in more detail.

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Roster changes

The big changes and glaring holes come in defence with Jake Kelly and Daniel Talia missing from their best defensive 6. 

Coach Matthew Nicks will be praying Tom Doedee, Nick Murray and Luke Brown all stay fit for the season. 

Their problems aren’t isolated to defence however, with Rory Laird breaking his hand in the practice match and is now set to miss 4-6 weeks, and Taylor Walker still serving his 6-week suspension and is not available until round 4. 

New club recruit Jordan Dawson is also having calf trouble and is a test for round 1.

In: Jordan Dawson (Sydney), Josh Rachele (Pick 6 National Draft), Jake Soligo (Pick 36 National Draft), Zac Taylor (Pick 44 National Draft), Luke Nankervis (Pick 2 Pre-Season Draft).

Out: Bryce Gibbs (retired), Jake Kelly (Essendon Bombers), Tom Lynch (delisted), David Mackay (retired), Ronin O’Connor (delisted), Daniel Talia (delisted), Tyson Stengle (delisted).

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Guns

Rory Laird // $632,600 // Midfield

Laird was very much on the radar until he recently broke his hand ruling him out for up to six weeks. 

He’s a defender turned midfielder who bumped his season average up to 116.2 last season, which is up there with the best in the competition. 

We now get a look at him and see if he’ll be an upgrade target coming off the round 13 bye.

Jordan Dawson // $550,300 // Defender

Dawn was previously a defender with the Swans and drafted by the Crows to help their engine room and outside play on the wings, and maybe a splash of half back. 

He is very much a utility player who will be an asset for the team.  He has a huge ceiling with scores of 145, 141 and 158 last season which led him to a 101.1 season average.

He is under an injury cloud so watch the round 1 team closely before you start him.

Reilly O’Brien // $520,600 // Ruck

ROB is yet to average under 95 as the number 1 ruck for the Crows. 

A career high average of 106.2 in 2020 had us thinking he was ready to explode and become a premier ruckman of the competition, but he only managed a 95.7 last season after a very poor start to the campaign. Could it be this year?

He looks to be going okay this pre-season with a score of 108 Supercoach points, with 33 hit outs and 12 contested possessions against the Power. 

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Bargin bin buys

Wayne Milera // $271,100 // Defender

If he can stay fit, he will make money, but that’s a big if. 

He only played the two games last season for an average of 83. The role off half back looks there, but can you trust his body? 

Having never played a full season, and missing the practice match, I would have to say he’s a pass which is unfortunate because we need cheaper players to fill our defensive spots.

Joshua Rachele // $184,800 // Midfield Forward

No.6 pick in the National Draft who has already shown us what he’s got X-factor! 

He has kicked multiple goals in each practice match, floated up the ground to get plenty of ball and has tackled well. 

He ticks all the boxes as a Supercoach cash cow even though he comes with an inflated price. No issues picking this guy and starting him on field.

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Mitchell Hinge // $180,900 // Defender

Has only played four career games after being initially drafted by the Lions in 2016. 

There are obviously some significant injury concerns that come with the pick, and he is already sitting out training and is in doubt for round 1, but we are short of options in defence and this guy would have a good role off half back and the wing. 

Likely to score in the 60-80 range, but that’s fine for a rookie starting pick on field in defence. Watch for him in the round 1 team and decide from there.

Jake Soligo // $117,300 // Midfield

No. 36 in the National Draft who seems to be very close, if not in, the best 22. 

He’s scored 45 Supercoach points from 66% game time which isn’t brilliant considering he had majority of his possessions contested and kicked a goal. A bench option for us if selected in round 1.

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Avoids

Ben Keays // $560,400 // Midfield

Keays was brilliant last season averaging 103 Supercoach points which included 11 tonnes and a peak score of 173 in the final round. 

That was when was firmly playing in the middle, but there seems to be a role change this time around. 

He only attended 50% of the CBAs in the practice match against the Power, played a lot forward registering four behinds and only scored 57 Supercoach points. 

Screams avoid to me which is disappointing as he showed plenty of promise last season.

Matt Crouch // $482,000 // Midfield

Too injury prone and expensive to be considered as a starting pick. 

He missed all of last season with a groin issue and just hasn’t been discounted enough for me to consider him. 

We know he can score well as he’s averaged 110 twice before, but you’d have to be a very brave (foolish?) coach to pick him. 

There’s too much risk, especially when you can wait for him to play a block of games and buy him for not much more during the season.