Following a heart breaking preliminary final loss to Hawthorn and the Kurt Tippett salary cap scandal, 2013 cannot come quickly enough for Adelaide.
There’s no doubting the Crows were the surprise packet of last season, jumping from 14th in 2011 to second place in 2012, with 17 wins and five losses.
In his debut year as senior coach, Brenton Sanderson helped rejuvenate Adelaide’s playing list and produce a remarkably quick upturn in form.
The Crows had a reasonably beneficial draw in 2012, but credit where it’s due, they still comfortably outplayed the lesser lights and regularly matched it with the competitions best.
Adelaide’s midfield has a solid balance of inside and outside players. It’s shaping up as one of the most dangerous in the competition, with Patrick Dangerfield, Richard Douglas, Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson, captain Nathan van Berlo and Bernie Vince. It’s been further bolstered by inclusion of talented youngster, Brad Crouch.
The midfield is well supported by ruckman Sam Jacobs, who is widely regarded as the premier tap ruckman in the game.
Tippett’s departure will hurt their forward line structure. Not only was he a serviceable key-position option, but his presence also took significant pressure off fellow tall forward, Taylor Walker. Veteran Ben Rutten leads a stable backline, which looks quite settled with last year’s NAB AFL Rising Star winner, Daniel Talia at centre half back and Brent Reilly’s penetration off the flank.
Key Player: Taylor Walker
Taylor Walker will be hoping to build on his breakout 2012 season. After a mediocre season in 2011, Walker took a major step as a key forward in the competition and kicked 63 goals from 19 matches.
He was instrumental in the Crows finals series, leading a second half revival against the Dockers in the first Semi-Final with five majors. Walker is an accurate set shot at goal, strong overhead and has an exceptional work rate, which is evident by his relentless forward-line pressure and attack on the footy.
The focal point of Adelaide’s forward half should be a handful for any key opposition defenders again this season following another outstanding pre-season. ‘Tex’ is crucial to the Crows game plan and will need the support of key-position prospect Josh Jenkins and small forwards at his feet.
Circle it on the calendar: round six, Adelaide vs Hawthorn
The Crows were just one kick away from a grand final berth last season. In what was a thrilling preliminary final, Hawthorn and a spirited Cyril Rioli dashed their hopes of a premiership in the final minutes of play.
Adelaide battled hard all day, carrying out a four-quarter effort and winning the respect of the football world. The brave five-point loss indicated how far the Crows had come in the space of just one-year.
You can guarantee that the heartbreaking loss will still be fresh in the players minds and they’ll be determined to take the points off the premiership favourites.
If Adelaide wants to emulate their top 4 efforts of last year, they have to continue to be competitive against the top teams and claim several scalps in the process. In front of a packed AAMI Stadium, the Crows will be eager to put the disappointment of the Preliminary Final loss behind them and defeat the Hawks in round 6.
2013 Prediction: 4th – 6th
Despite some off-field dramas, Adelaide will go into this season full of confidence on the back of their successful 2012 campaign.
The draw is less favourable than last season. However, games at AAMI Stadium are winnable and their first month of football should translate into four wins. The Crows are strong across all lines and a top four spot is more than achievable if their elite midfielder continues to work well together and Taylor Walker remains fit.
Mitchell Wood is a second-year Bachelor of Sport Journalism student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter: @Mitchell_Woody
