All the AFL lists are finalised for 2018 and now is the time to start investigating what each club’s best team looks like.
This analysis won’t factor in injuries or early season suspensions, as they are looking at the best team from the list they have. Here is my view on Adelaide’s best 22 in 2018.
B: Jake Kelly, Daniel Talia, Luke Brown
HB: Rory Laird, Kyle Hartigan, Brodie Smith
C: Bryce Gibbs, Hugh Greenwood, Rory Atkins
HF: Richard Douglas, Taylor Walker, Tom Lynch
F: Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Mitch McGovern
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Matt Crouch, Rory Sloane
I/C: Brad Crouch, David Mackay, Sam Gibson, Alex Keath
Depth: Riley Knight, Jordan Gallucci, Myles Poholke, Paul Seedsman, Curtly Hampton, Andy Otten, Kyle Cheney, Wayne Milera, Darcy Fogarty, Elliot Himmelberg, Matthew Signorello, Andrew McPherson, Harry Dear, Tom Doedee, Ben Davis, Reilly O’Brien, Jackson Edwards, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Patrick Wilson, Paul Hunter, Lachlan Murphy, Ben Jarman
(Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Defence
I haven’t generally selected an intercept marker in the Crows defensive 50 despite Alex Keath, Andrew McPherson, and Tom Doedee all playing similar game styles to Lever. Instead I’ve tag-teamed Daniel Talia and Kyle Hartigan as key defensive posts at full back and centre half back and I’m backing in Hartigan’s natural marking ability to make amends for Lever’s intercept marking.
Jake Kelly is a medium defender and will be handy in the back pocket for the Crows as he’ll be able to oppose against tall or small forwards.
I have included Luke Brown, Rory Laird, and Brodie Smith as small defenders. Luke Brown would be able to play a lock-down role on opposition small forwards. Brown achieved a career-high number of marks last year, and if he can lay as many tackles as he did in 2016, then he’ll be a key part of the Crows 2018 line-up.
Rory Laird and Brodie Smith both play rebounding roles and fit the half back flank role perfectly. However, with Brodie Smith’s ACL injury, he likely won’t play any games next year, which leaves a spot open for a player.
Adelaide have a few options to cover his absence. Option one is they could go like-for-like and select Paul Seedsman or Curtly Hampton in place of Brodie Smith.
Option two is they could move Bryce Gibbs from the wing to the half back flank and bring in Riley Knight to play on the wing.
Option three is they could place Alex Keath in the starting 18 and move Luke Brown onto the half back flank with Alex Keath in the back pocket. Any of the options would be an effective way to cover his absence.
(Photo: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Midfield
The Crows have strengthened their midfield brigade as well as adding experience to their team with the recruitments of Bryce Gibbs and Sam Gibson.
Bryce Gibbs will almost be a guaranteed starter in their line-up next year. He’s been on the Crows dream list ever since he was drafted, and he’s viewed by some as the missing piece to their premiership puzzle. Sam Jacobs is one of the best ruckmen in the competition and will easily be the number one ruck over young Reilly O’Brien.
Hugh Greenwood and Matt Crouch both had breakout years last year, and I suspect both will assume a role as an on-baller in the midfield.
Rory Sloane was the leader and favourite in the Brownlow Medal until opposition coaches discovered that he struggles to effectively shake a hard tag, and he will no doubt be in the Crows starting midfield.
Rory Atkins was another Crow to have a breakout year, setting career highs in kicks, marks, disposals, and tackles, and will play an important part for the Crows on the wing in 2018.
(Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Attack
The Crows have an effective four-prolonged key forward line in Tom Lynch, Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins, and Mitch McGovern, but all are too important for Don Pyke to leave any of them out.
Lynch is that Nick Riewoldt or Jarrad Waite type of key forward that has brilliant stamina and running capacity to be able to push into the midfield and roam the ground for long periods of time.
Taylor Walker, the skipper, is a leading key forward that has a long kick on him, hence why I’ve put him at centre-half forward. Mitch McGovern is a tall forward that is a strong pack mark. He usually floats into a contest and takes marks.
Josh Jenkins is often referred to as a cherry picker and kicks goals from easy positions, hence why I’ve put him at full forward – to keep him in the goal square to do what he does best.
Richard Douglas is a goal-kicking midfielder, and with there being no room for him in the midfield, I placed him on the half forward flank. Eddie Betts is one of the premier small forwards of the competition and is always a start-up in the Crows line-up.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Interchange
The interchange comprises three midfielders and a key defender to rotate through the starting 18. Brad Crouch combined with brother Matt to have a career-best season and the best season ever by a pair of brothers.
David Mackay isn’t a star, but he plays the role that he needs to play for the team and does it well. Discarded North Melbourne veteran Sam Gibson will come in, and I am predicting him to get a spot on the bench. He’s played 130 consecutive games and has been consistent across his career, and he can play the role of a tagger on the oppositions star players.
Don Pyke and Rory Sloane know through personal experience that Sam Gibson can play a quality role as a tagger. Alex Keath will be able to rotate through the defence and develop his game as an intercept marker as well as working on his contested marking.
(Photo: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
The unlucky players
Riley Knight had a career-best year last year, playing 19 games, which included the three finals. There is no doubt that he will get regular opportunities, but he is probably the 23rd man in the Crows team.
Paul Seedsman played only five games last year; however, he played every finals game, and with Brodie Smith likely to be out with an ACL injury for the season, there is a spot open for him.
Curtly Hampton played the first nine games of the season last year but injury ruined his promising start, and he will be another contesting for the spot left by Brodie Smith.
Andy Otten played 19 games in his first injury-free season since 2014, but despite playing in the 2017 grand final, he’ll have to bide his time and wait for opportunities as there are already many key position players in the team.
Wayne Milera played 16 games and will almost definitely get games next year, but he probably isn’t in the best 22 yet.
Darcy Fogarty is seen by many as the best player in the 2017 draft despite being taken at pick 12. He will hopefully get some opportunities up forward and in the midfield next year.
With Jake Lever gone, it seems likely that 2015 first-round pick Tom Doedee will finally get his opportunity in the Crows defensive 50 next year.
What is your view on Adelaide’s best 22 for 2018? Would you make any changes, Roarers?
Stephen
Roar Rookie
Oh Harry, you’ve just shown how inept you are at coaching the modern game. The days of spinning the magnets and changing players all over the field went out with fat full forwards. Players no longer play in positions, they play all over the field. Rory Sloane was in the back line a lot of the game, Eddie Betts was in the midfield for a lot of the game with Charlie Cameron, Jenkins was in the ruck and then across the half back line. That’s the way the game is played these days. Who was Richmond’s CHF? I bet you can’t name them, because no one plays that position. Just because Pyke didn’t make the moves that YOU wanted him to doesn’t mean he did nothing. They tried all kinds of different game plans, but they just weren’t good enough. You’ve just shown that your football knowledge comes from the dark ages, and maybe that’s where your opinions belong. And by the way, your summation of the fact that you coached junior football so therefore you have the right to criticise an AFL coach, is like me saying that I drive a car so therefore I can criticise Daniel Riccardo and his formula 1 driving tactics. Irrelevant opinions, Harry. I hope that wasn’t too much of a hard truth.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Sam, he is slightly built so employed as an outside runner. I too, loved him at the Pies but understand he is in what I call the "in between" category, those players who are too good for VFL but not quite consistent enough for a regular AFL gig. I believe Jackson Ramsay is another in that category. The Seed is a beautiful kick, knows where the goals are but I don't believe he has hurt the Pies in letting him go.
Don Freo
Guest
Sounds like an empty criticism to me. No substance there.
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
thats because he is a one way runner and has no defensive side to his game
Sam Bunn
Roar Rookie
In saying that I hope he can find consistency because he's a beautiful player to watch in full flight
Sam Bunn
Roar Rookie
I've always loved Seedy but there's too many question marks over his performances to rely on him, especially in a side firmly gunning for a flag
Paul D
Roar Guru
Merely trying to illustrate the logical fallacy that a coach in the biggest game of his life with years of experience would make ‘no moves’. Frankly I’m astonished that someone with all his professed coaching experience who has watched it a dozen times including only 6 days ago can’t see the moves Pyke has made. If you were anything resembling a proper coach or a functional human being you’d have long ago demonstrated your vast knowledge by explaining all of the moves Pyke made to we lesser mortals and why they didn’t work. The fact you can do nothing except honk on about not making moves means you don’t know any either. You’re just an old blowhard and I’ll respond to any post of yours I like.
Don Freo
Guest
I doubt you have read it. It was a video.
Don Freo
Guest
I wonder if you can explain what you think Garry Lyon said. He certainly didn't say there were no moves. He just wasn't impressed by them. The video is still available, Jon and Harold. We know Jon doesn't understand stuff but here is your chance to stride ahead, Haz. Harry, you are the one who wants to know. Why would we jump to the agenda of someone who pays no attention to anyone else? You make no point. You certainly have not failed at being empty and pointless. You succeed very well at that.
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
yep, have read and reread them Don and still can't find one positional move named by you or Paul D, not one. Game over son, I won! He clearly made zero positional moves.
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
Well done Paul you have now admitted you can scarcely remember the game so all you are doing is what? making it up? why comment if you can't recall or remember? You clearly aren't qualified to comment and have admitted it yourself...just look at all your threads above. hundreds of moves huh from a guy who cannot hardly remember the game. I have watched it maybe a dozen times as part of my coaching preparation for 2018 Under 17's. I watched it last about 6 days ago. You admit you can scarcely remember it and have still not named a single positional move. Sorry son, best stay out of the conversation if not informed.
Jon boy
Guest
Harry -But they Know a lot more than Gary Lyon.
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
My Point is proven everyone- look around these comments, Stephen and especially Don Freo and Paul skirt around but none of them can actually name ONE positional move Pyke made in the GF. Point proven! Harry was right, he made none!
Paul D
Roar Guru
Hilarious Harry. The amount of times you’ve skated away or ducked and dived when asked to provide evidence of your credentials, and now you’re up here foghorning away about how because I can’t remember exactly who Pyke switched with who in the midfield for a team I don’t support in a game played 3 and a half months ago that this is foolproof evidence that Pyke did absolutely nothing for 3 hours in the biggest game of his life. Your so-called harsh truths rely heavily on people not examining your statements too closely. For all your decades coaching you seem to have gained very little understanding of human behaviour and motivation.
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
yep Paul cannot name one move either. My point is proven. Sloane to half back would be one positional move. None of you have named ONE, even Garry Lyon after the game said Pyke failed dysmally from the coaching box
Don Freo
Guest
Read the responses, Harry. Then think. Stop typing for a moment and think.
Paul D
Roar Guru
"Pyke after the game said he’d made a number of structural moves." I've already demonstrated your claim Pyke didn't make any moves is absolutely ridiculous. Loose Cannon Harry or Glass Jaw Harry would be more appropriate the way you're going
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
nothing wrong with it at all Jon Boy, Blight would have tried it. I'll give you all a Harry Harsh Truth right here. Malcolm Blight, after all his years out of the game, swanning around in France could have come in cold without knowing those Crows players or any of your strategies or set plays and got your team closer to Richmond than Don Pyke did on that day. There, you have it.
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
as for you Paul D...you can't name ONE move either!
Don Freo
Guest
You seem offended. Why? Do you have double standards? Can't you see? You seem to think it is ok to mock and criticize every sportsperson, every coach, every social media poster...as long as it is not you. You don't like it when it is you. Why do it to others? Stop doing it to others. You obviously don't like it happening to you.