Adelaide fans must be very envious.
The news on Monday that another Port Adelaide young gun was given the round six rising star nomination would make most Crows fans jealous, even if they don’t admit it.
The Adelaide list management crew would also be second-guessing some of the off-season moves, in particular the decision to trade its 2018 first round selection with Carlton for its 2019 first round pick.
Last year’s crop was said to be the most talented crop in 10 years. That prediction appears to be on the money judging by the impact so many first-year players are having this season, which is why it was an interesting move to trade away such a prized pick.
Adelaide were super keen to recruit Xavier Dursma with its second selection, but after he was plucked by Port Adelaide the Crows chose to trade away that pick to Carlton.
The Blues picked Liam Stocker who is a chance to make his debut this week against North Melbourne after strong form in the VFL.
Stocker will have had 12 months in the system to develop and improve before Adelaide use its pick later this year.
Adelaide fans have only had a miniscule glimpse into the future with their top-10 pick Chayce Jones playing the first four games.
I like Jones. He has good energy, is a good tackler and has great leg speed. He’s not polished with his foot skills and decision making lets him down. Hopefully with more experience he can overcome these flaws.
Port Adelaide’s move to trade up the draft order to get in front of Adelaide ensured they probably got the best player in the draft in Connor Rozee. He’s a special, once in a generation player.
But there are still three other players at Port highly likely to get a Rising Star nomination this year with Zak Butters, Willem Drew and Todd Marshall all eligible.
Adelaide will be lucky to have one.
And that must burn over at West Lakes.