Part 1 of the six-part series comprises the five players the Adelaide Crows, Brisbane Lions and Carlton Blues can least afford to lose in 2021, plus each side gets one honourable pre-draft mention.
Adelaide Crows
The Crows will take some positives into 2021, as they won three games in a row late in 2020.
Honourable mention: Tom Doedee
Tom Doedee was added to the leadership group in 2020. He is the best tall defender after the loss of Kyle Hartigan and Daniel Talia at fullback. Doedee has the capability to play anywhere in the back six and was sorely missed through injury, featuring in just nine games in 2020 but averaging an impressive 14.33 disposals per game, which is a fair amount for a key defender.
5. Wayne Milera
He was sorely missed in 2020 as he managed to play just two games after signing a five-year contract extension. Milera has the potential to play on the half flank on the wing or play less game time off the interchange bench on the ‘burst’, which is the role of an impact player.
4. Rory Sloane
Sloane finished in the top ten in the best and fairest in 2020 despite featuring in only 12 games due to injury. His leadership was sorely missed.
3. Matt Crouch
He averaged the fifth most disposals of any player in 2020 (including finals). He didn’t just accumulate disposals but also utilised the ball well. In 2020 he will be pivotal to the Adelaide Crows as his brother Brad was traded to St Kilda. On top of that is concern over whether Sloane’s body can hold up and play every game, which makes Matt Crouch an even more integral player than he would have been prior to 2021.
2. Rory Laird
He showed his versatility as he featured in the midfield for the Adelaide Crows when they had their three-game winning streak from Round 15 until Round 17. That extra string he has added to his bow will make him a player that they need to be at his best in 2021 if the Crows are to improve.
1. Reilly O’Brien
He was a deserved winner of the best and fairest for the Crows. He was arguably one of the better ruckmen in the competition. He doesn’t have much backup apart from Billy Frampton, therefore O’Brien is the player the Crows could least afford to lose in 2021.
Matt Crouch (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Brisbane Lions
The Lions will be looking to improve on their preliminary final finish in 2020, having missed out on the opportunity to win a premiership.
Honourable mention: Joe Daniher
Daniher will be an important player for the Lions if fit and available. At the very least he will take the pressure off Eric Hipwood, who will hopefully kick straighter than in 2020!
5. Daniel Rich
He’s who becomes even more important with Grant Birchall heading towards the end of his career and Alex Witherden being traded to the West Coast Eagles. Brisbane’s options for running defenders are few and far between in 2021.
4. Hugh McCluggage
He’s been an extremely versatile player for the Lions as he can play on the wing, in the forward pocket and even as an inside midfielder if given the opportunity in 2021.
3. Harris Andrews
Andrews was named at fullback in the 2020 All Australian team. There isn’t a lot of backup if he gets injured, as Ryan Lester would be forced to play as a key defender. In 2021 Andrews may be used at centre halfback as he is a master at intercept marking.
2. Oscar McInerney
McInerney is extremely important to the Lions as Stefan Martin, the side’s other ruckman, was traded to the Western Bulldogs. The only backup he has is Archie Smith at this stage.
1. Lachie Neale
Neale won the Brownlow Medal in 2020. Even though the Lions have some backup in the midfield, none of them is of the calibre of Neale, therefore he should be the player the Lions could least afford to lose in 2021.
Lachie Neale (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Carlton Blues
The Blues will be looking to be better than in 2021 and a shot at the finals.
Honourable mention: Harry McKay
McKay was a pivotal part of the Carlton structure in 2020. Charlie Curnow was injured, Mitch McGovern was out of form and Levi Casboult was getting towards the end of his career. Therefore, McKay should be integral to the Blues hopes of playing finals in 2021. The only thing holding him back is his goal kicking, as he finished with 1.62 goals per game and 1.15 behinds per game in 2020. It’s important he kicks straight when given the opportunity in 2021 as it impacts on whether the Blues have the ascendancy and momentum of the game.
5. Adam Saad
Saad was a pivotal recruit for Carlton as he will provide plenty of run off a halfback flank. With Sam Docherty getting towards the end of his career, Nic Newman coming back from injury and Sam Petrevski-Seton possibly moving to the wing, Saad’s role in the team will be important.
4. Zac Williams
He was brought to the club in the 2020 trade period to help the Blues make a success of their next few seasons, starting with 2021. In 2021 he could play multiple roles, including as a running defender, but will most probably be an inside midfielder to help out the likes of Patrick Cripps.
3. Patrick Cripps
Cripps would be disappointed with his 2020 as he wasn’t even in the All Australian squad of 40. In 2021 he’ll be looking first of all for team success and second of all to improve on 2020, especially with his goal kicking, having averaged 0.4 goals and 0.7 behinds per game. Those stats sum up his season and why he’s only third on this list.
2. Sam Walsh
Walsh is a natural leader. The mark of the year he took in 2020 epitomised his value to the team. He has the capability to play inside and outside midfield.
1. Jacob Weitering
Weitering was a part of the All Australian squad of 40 in 2020. It’s essential he stays fit and available for selection in 2021 for every game as he’s arguably the best centre halfback in the AFL.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
I suspect that Adelaide will seek to trade Crouch back to Victoria so as to clear the decks for a young lad to develop (and to maximise any value Crouch the Younger still has). Now who needs a good ball winner but over-user of the football (especially by hand) and a handover merchant?
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
When Casboult hands it over after kicking a point (or OOF) then Sloane will bring it back into play, short passing to Sloane, who handballs to Sloane, a pass to Sloane on the wing, quick handball over the top to Sloane at Half Forward. Sloane spins, dodges, weaves and kicks a goal. Simples!
Peter Monteith
Guest
Liam Jones back at CHF is just ridiculous
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Because of height. I concede nuthing else.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Well aware of who the bloke is. Been a sensational player. Even his form of a few years ago wouldn't achieve your claim. I realise it's a bit of a throwaway line, '18 Sloanes would beat . . . ', but defending it as reality and/or fact is laughable. You've conceded 5 spots, now consider the genuine pace on both the inside and outside that teams have. Even at his best Sloane never had genuine speed as part of his armoury. !8 Sloanes wouldn't get within 10 goals of most, if not all, teams. To suggest I don't know who Sloane is really is a weak fall back position. But, cheers.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure you know who Sloane is. As I've said before his form of a few years ago. Not his injury plagued status of the recent past. So 5 talls beat him but he'd be a menace on the ground and the 13 headed monster would be everywhere. He makes Border Collies look like a rock.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Ya' dreamin'.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
So we win 13/14 positions. That's a Crows lock. Remember it's not the size of the dog but the fight.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
That’s exactly why they were recruited to the team, as that’s what they need to improve in 2021. Sam Docherty has also had health/injury concerns. Sam Petrevski-Seton is a talented player, but should be in the midfield, not in the back six as with Nic Newman who’s coming back from injury and should be on the wing when fit and available. While, Charlie Curnow being injury prone is a concern. Mitch McGovern has struggled to find his niche and Levi Casboult needs to change position from a forward as he doesn’t kick enough goals. This would be my team for Round 1 of 2021, presuming Charlie Curnow is unavailable: My Team: B: M.McGovern, Weitering, Saad HB: Z.Williams, Casboult, Docherty C: Newman, Kennedy, Cunningham HF: Gibbons, L.Jones (2nd ruck), Cripps FF: Setterfield, McKay, Fisher R: Pittonet, Walsh, SPS I/C: J.Martin, Newnes, M.Murphy, Jack Silvagni
Jeremy Beckett
Roar Rookie
Kudos to the effort put in to writing this, but including Saad and Williams as 'players you can't afford to lose', who haven't played any matches, seems silly. E.g. would McGovern have been considered in a similar mold at the end of 2018?
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
You'd get smashed in the air, too. Need I go on?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
True about ruck, it'd be the only area. He's an engine room player who can run both ways and gives and gets the ball efficiently.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
5. Daniel Rich He’s who becomes even more important with Grant Birchall heading towards the end of his career and Alex Witherden being traded to the West Coast Eagles. Brisbane’s options for running defenders are few and far between in 2021. While important to the Lions back line set up, Daniel Rich is not a 'running defender'. He's our Quarterback that we want the footy in his hands. But he ain't running out of the back line, I'll give you the tip.
AD
Guest
Would get smashed in the ruck!
2dogz
Roar Rookie
He couldn’t rock the Casboult!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Which all suggests that he has many years left because he has avoided a few years of wear and tear.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
At his best absolutely 18 of him would beat any current team. I sus you are judging him on his current injury-plagued form. His best of a few years, nupe!
2dogz
Roar Rookie
Yeah naaaahhhh
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Absolutely love what Sloane brings but . . . pretty sure a team of 18 Rory Sloanes would finish stone, motherless last. I do take your point, though.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
At his best I'd have 18 Sloanes and we'd beat any team any day. There have been better players at the Crows but none with the size of his heart.