Adelaide Crows 2023 AFL Preview & Predictions

<p>With an undersized defence and a forward line that has the potential to score a lot of goals, the Adelaide Crows could become one of the AFL’s great entertainers this season.</p> <p>Don’t expect them to win a whole lot of games, but they are more than likely to be involved in some high scoring encounters.&nbsp;</p> <p>Adelaide fielded the youngest side in the competition last season and will field the second youngest this time around.&nbsp;</p> <p>Their uncanny ability to leak goals, especially from turnovers, cost them dearly in 2022.&nbsp;</p> <p>Experience is a key factor in any competent defence, and that is something Adelaide desperately lacks.&nbsp;</p> <p>Can the exuberance of youth get the Crows soaring once more? Or does another season of hard lessons lie ahead for a young team that still has a lot to learn?&nbsp;</p> <p>Our Adelaide Crows’ preview for the upcoming AFL season is below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Hugh Bond (No. draft pick)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Tyler Brown (Supplemental election period)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Billy Dowling (No. 43 draft pick)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Mark Keane (Supplemental election period)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Max Michalanney (No.17 draft pick, father-son)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Izak Rankine Gold Coast Suns)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The acquisition of young goal sneak Izak Rankine from the Gold Coast Suns headlines the Crows’ offseason activity.&nbsp;</p> <p>None of their other signings are expected to spend too much time in their best 22, but nevertheless add much needed depth in key areas, for what is sure to be a long and taxing season.</p> <p>Names like former Collingwood duo Tyler Brown and Mark Keane will also add some much-needed experience off the field and on it, should they be called upon throughout the year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses&nbsp;</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Luke Brown (Retired)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Ben Davis (Delisted)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Billy Frampton (Collingwood)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>James Rowe (Delisted)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Brett Turner (Delisted)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>In somewhat of a blow for the Crows’ already suspect defence, experienced defender Luke Brown has called time on his 189-game career.</p> <p>An underrated, yet integral part of the Crows for the last 11 seasons, the loss of Brown will be felt heavily especially considering how young the Adelaide squad is at the moment.</p> <p>Elsewhere, ruckman Billy Frampton has been poached by the Pies, while a number of fringe players have also been delisted for the upcoming season.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Taylor Walker</em></strong></p> <p>The man they call “Tex” may be entering the twilight of his career, but he showed last season that he still has plenty left to offer.&nbsp;</p> <p>Walker kicked an impressive 47 goals last season highlighting his importance to the team.&nbsp;</p> <p>The former captain and the Crows’ all-time leading goals kicker will be looking to lead from the front in 2023 and help his side challenge for a finals place.&nbsp;</p> <p>Last season, the emergence of exciting young forward Darcy Fogarty cast Walker’s immediate future into doubt, but the youngster’s presence did not deter the veteran, if anything it galvanised him.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>While Fogarty is undoubtedly the future of the franchise, the man with the mo remains the Crows most important and experienced forward and you can expect everything up top to revolve around him in 2023.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Adelaide Crows’ Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>14th</strong></em></p> <p>Ever since winning the minor premiership in 2017 and then losing to Geelong in the Grand Final, the Adelaide Crows have been on a downward trajectory.</p> <p>Enough time has passed for the club to have rebuilt in an effort to return to the lofty heights of 2017 and their supporters will be expecting to see some progress sooner rather than later.</p> <p>Luring Izak Rankine home will go a long way to showing their fans they are serious about turning their fortunes around.</p> <p>The young South Australian clearly has a big future in the game and along with Darcy Fogarty could spearhead the Crows’ attack for the better part of the next decade.&nbsp;</p> <p>As previously mentioned, scoring goals shouldn’t be a problem for Adelaide this season, keeping them out might be another story, however.</p> <p>The retirement of Brown will only exacerbate their defensive frailties so don’t be surprised to see someone like the experienced Mark Keane get a starting spot sooner than expected.</p> <p>While the Crows should be able to stay in games longer this season, it’s hard to imagine them making much progress in terms of the overall standings.</p> <p>This youthful team will need a few more years together before they are ready to return to the finals and begin challenging for the flag.</p> <p>Ultimately, the future looks bright for Adelaide, even if the present does not.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Adelaide Crows Best 22</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>B:</strong> Josh Worrell, Jordon Butts, Tom Doedee&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> Chayce Jones, Nick Murray, Brodie Smith &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>C:</strong> Jordan Dawson, Rory Laird, Jake Soligo&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>HF:</strong> Izak Rankine, Darcy Fogarty, Josh Rachele &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>F:</strong> Shane McAdam, Taylor Walker, Riley Thilthorpe&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Foll:</strong> Reilly O'Brien, Ben Keays, Sam Berry&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>I/C:</strong> Rory Sloane, Will Hamill, Harry Schoenberg, Mitch Hinge&nbsp;</p>