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Pre-season Wrap: 

Adelaide 
 

The Team:

Adelaide have proven through Neil Craig’s tenure that they are a very consistent top team - at least through the Premiership season, as they tend to be just as consistent at slipping up in the finals. I expect 2010 to be no different to last year, with them pushing hard for the top four. Adelaide are one of the most well-drilled teams in the competition, and because of this, they are reliably consistent dream teamers - whilst not at the very top of the Dream Team ladder, they are not far off. The Adelaide half-back line can always be seen bringing home large scores, so watch to see which players rotate through this role – watch for Bock, Goodwin, Symes and Johncock especially. They have a plethora of kids coming through – most at the right age to make a difference, and I think as many of them enter their third and fourth years at the club, this is the time to load up on Crow kids!  

Who’s Hot?:

Patrick Dangerfield ($244,400): After his 2009 season dropped away, his pre-season form until late has been sensational, with him aiming for a spot in the midfield. However, he did injure his knee at training last week – it originally meant he would be out for up to three weeks, however he already seems to be back close to full pace. If he can return as strong as he left, he could be a great pickup.

Rory Sloane ($186,000): Has been training the house down by all reports, and has been training a lot with the midfield group – especially on a wing. As a second year player, he has a lot of upside. He can be picked up as a defender or forward, so if this move to the midfield is reflected in the NAB cup, it could be worth pouncing!

David Mackay ($339,400): Been burning up the track and said to be one of the more determined Crows through this pre-season. 

Who’s Not?:

Unfortunately for Adelaide, they have been hit significantly this pre-season by injuries. And as we know, injuries in the pre-season will often mean players will underperform as the year starts, with them playing continual catch-up on the fitness of the other players - think Hodge and Buddy last year!

Andy Otten: Has done his ACL and will therefore miss the year. DO NOT select him.

Nathan Bock: Has been slowly recovering from the heel complaint that brought an early end to his 2009. He has only just started running, so at a premium price is not worth selecting.

Nathan Van Berlo: Stress fractures in his back and is only just starting training.

Brad Moran: Knee injury (PCL), which will keep him out of training until mid-January.

Jason Porplyzia: Pelvis issue – Adelaide are stating he will miss most of the NAB cup, meaning he will not be 100% for the season opener.

Brad Symes: Missing most of January due to an arthroscopy (back training now) – again, this will mean he will start the season below par.

Ben Rutten: Has only just begun training this pre-season. 

The Bargain:

Kurt Tippett ($337,900): I see a possibility for a HUGE amount of improvement from Tippett in 2010 after we saw him realise his potential in 2009. At his age and size, I can imagine him really stepping up and becoming more of a force in 2010 – especially as Adelaide’s forward line becomes more settled. I expect less low scores and more consistency from the big man – being in a top team will also help with his ball delivery. With his reasonable price and ruck/forward eligibility, I see him being quite a good buy this year. 

The Kid:

Phil Davis ($90,700): The crows were VERY happy to land Davis in the 2008 draft, despite is surprising many people ‘in the know.’ He is a tall forward, with the ability to play back – this is the position which Adelaide have been grooming him for, naming him as emergency several times late in 2009 as his SANFL form was very, very solid. He is training very well this pre-season and has added significant bulk to his frame, suggesting he will be able to cope playing at the highest level. With the long-term injury to Andy Otten, the crows will be looking for someone to step up into that role – rebounding defender – a role that Davis could certainly play with aplomb.  At $90k, he could be a great pick-up – Neil Craig showed in 2009 that he wasn’t afraid to play the kids, and I feel this will continue in 2010, assuming they have justified their place with their track work – something Davis certainly has done in pre-season 2010. 

The Premium:

Chris Knights ($393,600): Whilst he currently isn’t what we would normally consider as a ‘premium,’ he has every attribute to suggest he can become one – and is well worth the punt at his price! He started the 2009 season poorly with a broken jaw and was moved to the half-forward line whilst recovering – it proved a great position for him as he racked up the (DT) points and (6-pointer) goals. With the return of the birdman and Hentschel, there is more chance that Knights will return to the midfield (especially with Adelaide’s aging list of mids now moving to Half back and half forward lines) and should pull in some massive scores. He is a natural ball winner, and his DT-points per minute is high enough to suggest that if he is played in the right position, he could become a premium dream-teamer. As a bonus, he can be picked up as a forward. 

The Smokey:

David Mackay ($339,400): Got steadily better and better through 2009, averaging around 60 for many games, yet pulling in numbers over 130 in others – due to this inconsistency, his score reflects a relatively low average. So far in 2010, he is said to be one of the better Crows players on the track, coming home first in the 3km trial – something which coach Neil Craig will look VERY favourably on! He will continue to play on the wing as he did in 2009, a position which obviously holds a LOT of dream team potential. With his off-season attitude, age and position taken into account, everything points to Mackay going gangbusters in 2010! He could be the next Bernie Vince (heck,  he even looks like him!).