<p>The 2026 AFL season is just around the corner, with the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl">Opening Round</a> officially starting on Thursday, March 5 at the SCG.</p> <p>Here at the Huddle, we’re running our eye over all 18 AFL teams to predict what the year ahead holds for every footy club.</p> <p>We’ll analyse squad depth, ins and outs, premiership hopes and a predicted finish for each club.</p> <p>Last year’s AFL Minor Premiers the Adelaide Crows have added experience and some highly rated youth to an already red-hot lineup; but will it be enough after they were bustled out of the finals in straight sets?</p> <p>Find out below in our Adelaide Crows 2026 season preview.</p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <h2>Adelaide Crows Players 2026</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Crows have bolstered their depth, particularly in the forward half, giving them more attacking weapons in an arsenal that already features Riley Thilthorpe, Ben Keays and Josh Rachele.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Adelaide Crows Key Signings and Draftees:</h3> <p>Former Brisbane Lions forward Callum Ah Chee joins the Crows off the back of two flags and an <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-origin">AFL Origin</a> appearance for WA. A great coup for Adelaide, he’ll bring versatility and a cool head to the Crows lineup.</p> <p>He’s joined by North Melbourne ruckman Finnbar Maley, young forward prospect Mitch Marsh (not the cricketer), who was picked up by the Crows as draftee No.22. The Crows also picked up Archie Ludowyke who has big wraps on him, especially for pick No.50 at the rookie draft.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Adelaide Crows Players Lost:</h3> <p>The Crows have shed a few players in 2026, with retired veterans Matt Crouch and Brodie Smith finishing up. The club also moved on Harry Schoenberg, Chris Burgess, Karl Gallagher, Lachlan Murphy, and Kieran Strachan in 2026.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows Main Man</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Izak Rankine</h3> <p>While Jordan Dawson remains the club’s undisputed leader and probably most consistent performer, Izak Rankine is the man who provides the X-factor that the Crows desperately missed during their 2025 finals flop.</p> <p>After being forced to watch their straight sets exit from the sidelines due to suspension, Rankine will be desperate to make it up to teammates and Crows fans and could even be an outside chance at the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-brownlow-medal">Brownlow Medal</a> if Adelaide can continue performing well.&nbsp;</p> <p>Coach Matthew Nicks has indicated Rankine will spend significantly more time in the midfield in 2026. His elite speed, creative ball use and ability to hit the scoreboard make him the most dangerous weapon in Adelaide's arsenal.</p> <p>If Rankine can bridge the gap in a midfield that looked too slow at times last year, the Crows will be a challenge for anyone to stop.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows Draw Difficulty Rating &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After finishing on top of the ladder, the Crows have naturally been handed a much tougher draw for 2026. They face a brutal opening month, starting with Collingwood away at the MCG, followed by the Western Bulldogs and Geelong.</p> <p>However, a favourable block between rounds 5 and 10 against sides like Richmond and North Melbourne could allow them to build serious momentum before their Round 12 bye.</p> <p><strong>Difficulty rating:</strong> Hard.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows Season Prediction 2026</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Adelaide’s greatest challenge will be evolving their midfield to support the duo of Dawson and Rankine.</p> <p>With Rankine suspended in the finals series, the Crows looked lost at sea, showing a tendency to over rely on the midfield gun. In 2026, coaches have wisened up and will look to exploit this hole in the Crows game.&nbsp;</p> <p>With Josh Rachele and Luke Pedlar also pushing for more on-ball time to add grit and energy around the footy, the Crows are clearly looking to increase their scoring potency from the midfield.</p> <p>Following the inclusion of Ah Chee and the rise of Dan Curtain, it’s clear the Crows are an improved squad from last year and they should be pushing for the preliminary finals at least.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>However, after shocking the competition last year, it seems unlikely that Adelaide will be able to reach the same heights now that they’re the hunted.</p> <p><strong>Predicted finish:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/afl-to-make-the-top-6-2026-9828930">5th</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows Predicted Round 1 Team</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>FB:</strong> Max Michalanney, Mark Keane, Josh Worrell</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> Mitch Hinge, Nick Murray, Wayne Milera</p> <p><strong>C:</strong> Isaac Cumming, Jordan Dawson (c), James Peatling</p> <p><strong>HF:</strong> Ben Keays, Darcy Fogarty, Alex Neal-Bullen</p> <p><strong>FF:</strong> Callum Ah Chee, Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker</p> <p><strong>FOLL:</strong> Reilly O’Brien, Jake Soligo, Josh Rachele</p> <p><strong>INT:</strong> Rory Laird, Sam Berry, Hugh Bond, Luke Nankervis, Sid Draper<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p>Note: Izak Rankine (suspension) and Dan Curtin (knee) are unavailable for Round 1.</p> <p>*Odds are subject to change.</p>