In the days leading up to the AFL National Draftdraft Sporting News is taking a look at each club’s selections, needs, likely draftees and historical performance on draft day.
Do they like to load up on youth, or prefer to trade away early picks?
Will they lean towards home-grown talent or trust their systems to stop homesick kids leaving in a couple of years’ time?
MORE: Adelaide Crows' 2018 season review
And what’s on this year’s shopping list: talls, midfielders or a creative small forward?
Adelaide Crows
Draft picks after the trade period: 8, 13, 16, 21, 73, 83
What Adelaide needs
The most pressing need at the Crows is a small forward or two to replace Eddie Betts. They brought in Tyson Stengle from Richmond in the trade period but more is needed.
Adelaide’s likely draftees
There’s no secret the Crows are after at least one of the talented South Australians available, but they still need to move up the order if they’re going to be a realistic chance of snaring either of Jack Lukosius or Izak Rankine. North Adelaide forward/midfielder Connor Rozee is a chance to be around at pick eight and could be as good as any in the draft – he certainly ticks the creative forward box, but will be a quality midfielder in time.
Adelaide’s draft history 1986 – 2017
Number of top-20 selections: 20
Average games played at Adelaide by top-20 selections: 63
Most games played for the Crows by a top-20 selection:
237+ (Richard Douglas, 2005)
164+ (Daniel Talia, 2009)
Most games played for the Crows by later selections:
321 (Tyson Edwards, pre-season pick 21, 1995)
275 (Simon Goodwin, pre-season pick 18, 1996)
227 (Graham Johncock, pick 67, 2000)
Most games played by rookie draft selections:
231 (Michael Doughty, 2000)
229 (Ben Rutten, 2002)
