The young Crows present a curious case in 2022.
After a flying start to last year, Matthew Nicks’ men were inconsistent to eventually finish in the bottom four.
There are no alarm bells ringing, given the club’s list profile and the board’s vote of confidence in Matthew Nicks. With numerous returning stars, including Matthew Crouch and Wayne Milera, and another year of development, there’s optimism they can rise the ladder in the coming season.
The backline is led by Tom Doedee as an intercepting defender, however the two key backs are Nick Murray, 21, and Jordon Butts, 22.
That duo were strong last year as the Crows looked to move the ball quick, and former Collingwood list manager Matt Rendell believes the club now has a large reliance on the pair of talls.
“Their biggest worry the Crows this year, and they stood up beautifully last year, was Butts and Murray as rookies playing key defence,” he told SEN SA’s The Run Home.
“Now, they did a super job, but when they were vulnerable the Crows, was when they (Butts and Murray) got beaten.
“There was a West Coast game (round nine), Darling kicked five in a quarter.
“They’re vulnerable, Billy Frampton is the other one who’s going to come in there, and Fischer McAsey obviously.
“So they’ve got four inexperienced key defenders. They won’t want to lose Butts or Murray, who have been outstanding, and that could be their Achilles heel in the end, but if those two blokes play all year, I think they’re a serious chance to make the eight.”
Adelaide plays the Lions in a practice game on Friday morning, with Nicks naming Matt Crouch for his return, as well as draftees Josh Rachele and Jake Soligo.
Rory Sloane, Jordan Dawson, Brodie Smith and Taylor Walker will all miss the match.
Listen to the full interview with Matt Rendell below