Adelaide Crows legend Malcolm Blight has identified a pair of players who he believes to be the “best prospects” at the club.
More than half of the current Crows list is aged 23 or under as the club continues a rebuild under coach Matthew Nicks.
There has been some criticism towards the Crows this year for an apparent lack of overall quality on the list, particularly the way their top draft picks have developed.
But there are at least a few young players to get excited about in the mind of Blight.
The two-time Adelaide premiership coach loves what Luke Pedlar is all about and is forecasting that the 11th pick in the 2020 draft will kick off 2023 playing senior footy.
“I tell you who has developed, and I reckon he has developed now to be an A-grade midfielder in a couple of years’ time, is Pedlar,” Blight said on Sportsday SA.
“Pedlar’s form in the SANFL that I saw, he was right up there with the best players at SANFL level and that’s usually a pretty good sign for a youngster.
“It’s a bit like how (Connor) Rozee was in the Grand Final for North Adelaide a couple of years ago. He plays slightly differently, but he’s got some power away from the contest.
“I think Pedlar might be the one. He’s been a bit wounded, he’s coming good, he missed the game (Preliminary Final) last week.
“What I’ve seen in him, I reckon he’s a certainty to play Round 1 next year.”
Pedlar, 20, has five AFL games to his name, including two as an unused medi-sub.
He played 14 games in the SANFL this year, averaging 13.9 disposals and kicking 14 goals, operating primarily as a forward.
Another Crow that Blight sees something in is 2021 draftee Zac Taylor who is yet to debut at AFL level.
“The other kid is Taylor,” Blight added.
“Don’t forget you can play small and be tough, just like (Zak) Butters from Port Adelaide.
“I think Taylor has got a real chance.
“Those kids, I think they’re the best two prospects on the list right now.”
The talented 19-year-old midfielder was a SANFL regular in 2022, playing 17 games and averaging 17.4 disposals, 4.9 tackles and 4.5 clearances.