Most experts agree that the Adelaide Crows are one of the best chances left to win the premiership this year.
The Advertiser newspaper on the weekend noted the difference to the current team and the 1997 incarnation due to the lack of South Australians.
However, when comparing their season to date and playing list to the Crows first premiership there are noticeable similarities that can be drawn.
Off-season changes and low expectations
In 1996, the Crows finished 12th and Robert Shaw was replaced by Malcolm Blight. One of Blight’s first decisions was to depart Andrew Jarman, Chris McDermott and Tony McGuiness.
In 2015, Don Pyke was appointed after the tragic loss of Phil Walsh midseason. The big departure in the playing department was Patrick Dangerfield leaving to return to Victoria. Further, the draw for the Crows in 2016 was considered tough.
The Kangaroos, Sydney, Richmond, Hawthorn, Fremantle and a Showdown by Round 6 had many believing the Crows could be 1-5 or 2-4. As such, before both seasons, expectations were tempered and challenging to be involved in the last week of September was only considered possible by the most ‘one-eyed’ of Crows supporters.
Indigenous All-Stars
The two players that draw immediate similarities are Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron to the players who wore their numbers in the 1997. Eddie has been superb since joining Adelaide but Troy Bond (No. 18) played a pivotal role in the 1997 win with four goals and is one of the better forward pockets in the clubs history.
Not many knew of Andrew McLeod (No.23) outside Adelaide before the 1997 grand final but Charlie Cameron is making a name for himself with his stellar form. He perhaps doesn’t quite have the skills or accumulates the amount of possessions that McLeod does but Cameron is electric with his speed and forward pressure.
Underrated youngsters
There are few Crows players that are going under the radar and are going to be very good long-term AFL football players. The likes of Rory Atkins, Matt and Brad Crouch and Jake Lever are key ingredients for the improvement for the Crows in season 2016. Similarly, in 1997 the likes of Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards, and Kane Johnson were unheralded with Goodwin and Edwards both going on to play in excess of 250 AFL games.
Established players
When looking to find a match winner that is comparable to Darren Jarman, I could not see an equivalent to the current side. Rory Sloane is a star but a midfielder who can go forward and kick five goals are a rare commodity indeed.
Richard Douglas a former club champion draws similarities to another club champion in Matt Connell. Taylor Walker and Matthew Robran are traditional centre half forwards who are match winners. Shaun Rehn was the barometer much like Sam Jacobs.
Ben Hart was an all Australian defender and if comparing to 2016 then fellow all Australian, Brodie Smith, would be his best match. David Pitman was a versatile big man who blanketed Stewart Loewe in the 1997 grand final and provided support to Rehn.
Josh Jenkins has been a revelation up forward and back up to Jacobs. Scott Thompson is the veteran contested ball and clearance specialist. Mark Bickley who was in an earlier phase of his career is the best like for like.
Conclusion
As pointed out to me, the key game for Adelaide this weekend is not against Port Adelaide but the Hawthorn versus West Coast Eagles encounter.
If the Eagles can get a win then a top-two spot is there for the taking. Two finals games at Adelaide Oval will give the Crows a huge opportunity to play in their third grand final.
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