Who are the Crows players who should play to their optimum level in 2021?
To be eligible for selection, a player must have played at least five games in 2020, so there can be a reference point as far as those players who apply their talent the best at AFL level.
Here are the ten players (plus an honourable mention) who will stand out from the pack in 2021 in terms of performing to their optimum level.
Honourable mention
Daniel Talia is still a player who’s in the Crows 22. It’s obvious that he is coming towards the end of his career, but he always tries to fulfill his role at fullback.
He will need to improve his consistency from 2020. There will be more reliance on him, with the loss of Kyle Hartigan to the Hawthorn Hawks.
10. Darcy Fogarty
Darcy Fogarty will most probably play at centre half-forward and do a good job in fulfilling that role. He is a prodigious young talent who needs to be in the Adelaide Crows best 22 when fit and available to showcase the ability that he possesses.
9. Elliot Himmelberg
Elliot Himmelberg should be a player that shows what a quality asset he is to the Adelaide Crows in 2021. He has the potential to be a quality key forward and once he applies himself, he will be an important part of the Adelaide Crows forward line.
8. Tom Lynch
Tom Lynch may have played 13 of 17 games in 2020, but he still finished ninth in the Adelaide Crows best and fairest. He averaged the fifth most disposals of any Adelaide Crows player.
Expect him to be a pivotal part of the Crows team if he can stay injury-free.
7. Tom Doedee
Tom Doedee will be a pivotal part of an Adelaide Crows defence missing Kyle Hartigan. Hopefully, Doedee will be injury-free in 2021 as he only managed to play 11 games in 2020.
Despite being a key defender, he averaged the tenth most possessions of any Adelaide Crows player last season. Expect him to improve in 2021; fingers crossed he can play well and be a pivotal part of the Crows jigsaw puzzle.
6. Reilly O’Brien
Reilly O’Brien may have won the Adelaide Crows best and fairest in 2020, but he can get even better. It may seem harsh to have selected him in sixth place, but in reality it’s a compliment that he should strive to play at his best, which would possibly mean the Adelaide Crows play finals.
He needs to add goals to his game and get more disposals as he only averaged the 11th most disposals of Adelaide Crows players in 2020. Based on his ability, he is capable of making the All Australian squad this season, but will he perform at his optimum level?
Time will tell.
What can Reilly O’Brien achieve in 2021? (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
5. Brodie Smith
Brodie Smith missed just one game last year. He is a player that goes about his business quietly and is capable of playing multiple roles.
He will probably play on the halfback flank in 2021 and do a good job providing run out of defence.
4. Matt Crouch
Matt Crouch is a ball magnet.
He was a key player for the Adelaide Crows in 2020 where he averaged the fifth most disposals of any player in the competition. He will continue to be a pivotal part of their team as he performs at a consistently high level.
3. Rory Sloane
Rory Sloane may be coming to the end of his career, but he is a cult hero at the Adelaide Crows because he is such an inspirational player.
Even though he only played 12 out of 17 games last season, he still managed to finish in the top ten in the best and fairest. Expect him to replicate the endeavour he has displayed throughout his career in 2021.
2. Rory Laird
Rory Laird is extremely versatile.
It would be great to have two of him to pick from in the Adelaide Crows best 22; one off the halfback flank and the other in the midfield.
He has evolved from being a defender that provided run out of the backline into an inside midfielder. He has been a revelation and should continue to be that in 2021.
1. Luke Brown
Luke Brown is a player who performs to the level that he is capable of. He doesn’t shirk a contest.
He managed to finish third in the Adelaide Crows best and fairest in 2020, featuring in all 17 matches of the COVID-interrupted season.
On talent alone, he wouldn’t warrant a place in the top five of the best and fairest. It’s a testament to how he applies his ability.
Hopefully, he can replicate his high level of endeavour displayed in season 2020 and prove it wasn’t an aberration, when he applies himself this year.
2dogz
Roar Rookie
Great analysis Rowdy! He seems like a genuine dude also
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
So what'd'ya think?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Former Premier will be a good operator.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Edit: Uranus (unusual events, etc), Saturn (long term commitments) and Neptune (dreams, aspirations,etc) in Capricorn (is ruled by Saturn) so he’d have quite a serious long-term focus, which means he could probably play on for quite a few years. All these planets, in Capricorn, means he's in it for the long term; as a player and beyond.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I think he'll enter into "Jimmy Connors" phase. He brings so much to the Crows. He's up there with McLeod, Roo, Hart, etc
1DER
Guest
My error! Seasons 16, 17 and 18 in the SANFL
1DER
Guest
Bit harsh on Reilly who will hit elite status around this season if not 2022? O'Brien - 13.7 disposals, 3.8 marks, 4.0 tackles and 27.2 hitouts during season 2020. Grundy - 14.4, 3.0, 3.0 and 31.4. Will be the no.1 ruckman within 2 seasons, currently 25 years of age plus he virtually missed 3 seasons 2017 - 2019 when learning the ropes in the SANFL.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
A change of management will help.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
You're expecting a lot from old boy Sloanie. Been a warrior for Adelaide but now really lacks the leg speed to tear games apart. Will give you good service . . . but that's all.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I've tried to lodge 3 times and it's been rejected all 3 times
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
He has Mars and Venus together which means he is well liked and respected. In Aquarius it's about friends, colleagues and groups. This is self evident re his standinv at the crows. ------- He has Sun and Mercury together which means he is a regarded speaker. In Pisces it means that he transcends the human. You could say he is the zeitgeist of the Crows. The lightening rod l referred to above. ------- He has Moon and Pluto together in Scorpio which means he's a bit of a psychic and probably possesses a bit of a sharp tongue. The Moon and Pluto together also gives him a bit of a Cancer flavour. Probably a very emotionally together man if a little demonstrative at times. ----- Uranus (unusual events, etc), Saturn (long term commitments) and Neptune (dreams, aspirations,etc) in Capricorn (is ruled by Saturn do he'd have quite serious, means he could probably play on for quite a few years ----- It takes me at least an hour to do a report so this is real basic.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I can look it up.
2dogz
Roar Rookie
Is it in his horoscope???
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Doran Smith great article, I don't think 2021 will be great year for the Crows, but with more develop in their younger players and some smart trading at years end they may have a better 2022.
Willie
Roar Rookie
Three players that were not mentioned are Paul Seedsman, Taylor Walker, and Wayne Milera. At his best Seedsman can hold his own in any company, but we don't see it enough. I'd like to see him get back to his 2017 form. He can be so damaging with his run and his long range goals. I guess people have written Walker off as 'just being there for mentoring'. I'd like to see him prove that wrong. It looks like he's had an honest summer. With the Fog at CHF for most of season I'd like to see Walker given a link role around the wing. He still has one of the most accurate foot disposals in the business. Its time for Milera to start delivering on his potential. I know he's had injuries, but he's been around long enough now to become one Adelaide's core players. Its unfair to compare him to Andrew McLeod, but a lot of people forget that it took a while for Andrew to put it all together, and then all of a sudden he did. I'd like to see that from Wayne Milera.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
We may've had an Indian Summer in the cricket but I'm looking for one from Rory Sloane. For Adelaide to be on this year Sloane is the lightening rod for it to happen.