22/02/2026
2026 SEASON PREVIEW: ADELAIDE CROWS
2025: 1st (18-5. lost semi final)
B&F: Jordan Dawson
Rising Star: Dan Curtin
IN: Callum Ah Chee (Brisbane), Indy Cotton (Category B rookie), Archie Ludowyke (No.50 draft pick), Finnbar Maley ( North Melbourne), Mitchell Marsh (No.22 draft pick)
OUT: Chris Burgess (delisted), Matt Crouch (retired), Karl Gallagher (delisted), Lachlan Murphy (delisted), Harry Schoenberg (West Coast), Brodie Smith (retired), Kieran Strachan (delisted)
SEASON PREVIEW:
Adelaide can paint 2025 as two differing stories. The first part was a majestic rise to the minor premiership as the team took the league by storm off the back of some big leaps by players such as key forward and All-Australian Riley Thilthorpe, All-Australian snub Josh Worrall and one of the best young talents in the country in Dan Curtin. The clubs drafting and all out recruiting of some key pieces proved to be masterstrokes as the team took the big leap.
The problem then came finals. The one weakness in the team is its midfield as it is heavily Jordan Dawson dependent. This, alongside the suspension of livewire Izak Rankine, saw the team bundled out in straight sets as they couldn't match those heights.
The team didn't do much to upgrade the midfield this offseason. They did pursue Christian Petracca but were unwilling to go all-in to get him by balking (rightly or wrongly, we will tell in time), at giving him a contract extension. The team wasn't in the running for other midfielders that either went on the move or were rumoured to either.
The team didn't do so in the draft either as they instead bolstered their forward stocks. Mitch Marsh was the obvious pick with how the draft fared, as he is much in the Taylor Walker mold and will be a like for like replacement when the club legend retires. Archie Ludowyke wasn't a need either but there's no denying that he was one of the bigger steals for the entire period even if he's unlikely to produce right away.
TEAM OUTLOOK:
Defensively, the back six is one of the best in the entire league and was only eight points from being the #1 scoring defense in the entire AFL. Mark Keane and Josh Worrell were All-Australian 44 man squad selections, and the former was arguably the biggest snub to not make the team as it is. They form the nucleus alongside the exciting Max Michalanney. Jordan Butts and Nick Murray will compete for the third tall defender role, while Mitch Hinge and Wayne Milera rebound off halfback.
As mentioned, the midfield is the big weak link here with Jordan Dawson the lone fulltime star. Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele do spend time in there as classy smalls but they're needed more up the ground as goalsneaks. Dan Curtin was meant to move in the role, but unfortunately a knee injury will see him outlined for at least the first six weeks of the season. Maybe Josh Soligo and first round pick Sid Draper can make the big leap.
When it comes to the forward line, the team has class in spades. Taylor Walker is in the twilight of his career but he still has big games left in him, while the duo of Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty were an unstoppable tandem for a lot of 2025. The aforementioned Rachele and Rankine serves as the classy smalls as well, while Ben Keays and Alex Neal-Bullen serve as arguably the best half forwards in the league with their work generating scoring opportunities.
DOUBLE UPS:
As expected, Adelaide has some tough double ups as a top side from 2025. The team will double up against some tough sides in Geelong, Collingwood and Fremantle.
The team does double up vs non-finalists Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Richmond but that may be harder than it looks. The Bulldogs still possess big talent, Showdowns are always tough and Richmond could be a pick for some to be big improvers in 2026.
2026 EXPECTATIONS:
Deeper in the finals is on every fan's wishlist. But beyond that it's hard to say.
The team rose to the occasion in 2025 with their attractive play, but the big holes in the team weren't addressed in the offseason and their planned big move of Dan Curtin into the midfield is on ice for now until he recovers.
The question is can the team get the improvement they need? Can Jake Soligo and Sid Draper take the leap to star status? The team on both ends of the field are very good, it's just the engine room that concerns.
I think regression is reasonable to expect in 2026. The double ups will be tougher in 2026 as a team that finished atop the league and the team did get exposed for their midfield weakness.
This is still a very good team. The issue is some other teams have made some big improvements to their list, but the club stood pat and used their draft picks on good talents but not players who are expected to contribute right away. I think a bit of regression is expected, but they're still firmly a strong finals outfit.
2026 Ladder Prediction: 6th
-JW
