AFL Supercoach 2026: Adelaide Crows Squad Analysis

After being bundled out in straight sets in 2025, the Adelaide Crows will be hoping for more success in September this season.

Matthew Nicks’ side won the minor premiership last year but were unable to translate that home and away dominance to September success.

They’ve added Brisbane Lions premiership hero Callum Ah Chee to an already stacked front half, while they also pounced on a couple of talented draftees in Mitch Marsh and Archie Ludowyke who are prospects to watch for the future.

Let’s take a look at the Crows’ SuperCoach prospects for the upcoming season.

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Predicted Round 1 starting team

FB: Max Michalanney, Mark Keane, Josh Worrell

HB: Mitch Hinge, Nick Murray, Wayne Milera

C: Isaac Cumming, Jordan Dawson, James Peatling

HF: Ben Keays, Darcy Fogarty, Alex Neal-Bullen

FF: Callum Ah Chee, Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker

FOLL: Reilly O’Brien, Jake Soligo, Josh Rachele

I/C: Rory Laird, Sam Berry, Hugh Bond, Luke Nankervis, Sid Draper

Izak Rankine will miss round one through suspension, while Dan Curtin has suffered a knee injury and won’t feature in the first six or so weeks.

Talented youngster Sid Draper has had an interrupted pre-season due to injury and may not make it for round one, which could see the likes of Zac Taylor, Brayden Cook or Billy Dowling come in.

There are several others on the fringes at the Crows who will be looking to become best 23 mainstays in 2026.

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Fixtures

Round 1: Collingwood (A)

Round 2: Western Bulldogs (H)

Round 3: Geelong (A)

Round 4: Fremantle (H)

Round 5: Carlton (H)

Byes: Round 12

Verdict: After finishing as reigning premiers in 2025, the Crows have a much tougher draw this season.

They do have a nice block against Carlton, St Kilda, Brisbane, Port Adelaide, Richmond and North Melbourne between rounds 5 and 10 however.

They share a bye with the Suns, Power and Kangaroos in round 12, who all have plenty of SuperCoach relevant players.

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LOCK

For what it’s worth, I don’t think the Crows are very SuperCoach relevant in 2026. Perhaps the best prospect is captain Jordan Dawson ($611,300 MID) though, who averaged 113 points per game last season.

The Adelaide skipper posted eight scores of 120+ last year and had just three sub tons from round 10 onwards with a low score of 88. Dawson certainly ranks in the competition’s elite and the Crows will need maximum impact from their leader if they’re to be contenders again this season.

He’s currently in less than seven per cent of teams at the time of writing so would be a nice point of difference.

Elsewhere, Izak Rankine ($539,400 MID/FWD) looms as one of the best forward options this year, but won’t feature in many starting sides given that round one ban.

Rankine will be eyeing off more midfield minutes at the Crows this year and should push that 100 average, which makes him an appealing forward pick.

If you had a cheapie pop off on the bench in round one, there is a world where you could bring Rankine in but I think he’s more likely an upgrade option.

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POINT OF DIFFERENCE

The word out of West Lakes this year is that Josh Rachele ($369,600 FWD) has been tearing up the track over summer and looks set for an increased midfield role in 2026.

Rachele’s pace and burst will add another dimension to Adelaide’s midfield mix and also increase his SuperCoach scoring potential.

It would take a brave SuperCoach coach to start him, but at that price with an ownership of less than 2 per cent at the time of writing, it’s worth tracking his role during practice matches.

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CHEAPIES

Sid Draper ($126,100 MID/FWD) is probably the most promising of Adelaide’s cheapies this year, but I have doubts over his place in the side for round one.

A talented junior, Draper has been on light duties over summer due to a groin problem.

The former pick 4 played ten matches last season but was often the sub or subbed out, meaning he is still at an affordable price in 2026.

He’s in a lot of pre-season teams as it stands, but I get the feeling he’ll more likely be a downgrade option given the Crows look set to ease him into the season.

If he looks like playing good minutes early though, you’d probably want to jump on.