2018 was a year to forget for the Adelaide Crows.
From a controversial pre-season camp gone wrong to a host of injuries to star players, it seemed as if their 2018 campaign never got off the ground as a number of subpar performances saw them drop out of the top-eight.
But despite all that went wrong, Don Pyke’s side still managed to reel off 12 wins and take the scalps of Richmond, West Coast, Geelong and Sydney in the process.
Along with this, 2018 also saw a number of previously fringe best 22 players take the jump into the regular contributors, with the likes of Paul Seedsman and Wayne Milera enjoying breakout seasons.
Returning stars such as Brad Crouch and Brodie Smith will be major inclusions to the 2017 grand finalists, while they should also get more out of co-captains Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane who weren’t at peak fitness for the majority of 2018.
The development of the likes of Darcy Fogarty, Lachie Murphy, Chayce Jones and Ned McHenry will also be critical for the Crows in 2019 as they look to build their depth moving forward.
So, with an extended pre-season, new co-captains and for the most part a fit playing list you’d be foolish not to be buoyant on Adelaide’s chances to shoot back up the ladder in 2019.
OUR BEST 22 - ROUND 1
MVP
With a plethora of A grade talent, Adelaide’s MVP race will be close between the likes of Rory Laird, Rory Sloane, Brad Crouch, Bryce Gibbs, Eddie Betts and Taylor Walker.
But it's ball-magnet Matt Crouch who will take his game to another level in 2019.
Already known as one of the most prolific ball winners in the competition, at the age of 23 he is already an All-Australian, best and fairest and leader at the Adelaide Football Club.
Although injuries clouded his 2018 season, Crouch still showed his incredible ball-gathering ability as he averaged over 32 disposals over 18 games.
As he enters his prime, expect Crouch to again grow his game and take control of the Crows' midfield as he looks to catapult himself into the upper echelon of AFL midfielders.
BREAKOUT
Although he transformed himself into one of the Crows' most important players in the back end of 2018, expect Wayne Milera to take another leap in 2019 and become one of the most damaging defenders in the competition.
Blessed with blistering speed, incredible agility and silky skills, watching Milera brings back memories of the great Andrew McLeod, as he constantly breaks the lines and sets up the team’s attacking movement.
Now entering his fourth season, Milera will be hoping to build on his excellent form and gain the respect of the wider football community outside of South Australia.
UNDER THE PUMP
No surprises here.
Much like the majority of the club, skipper Taylor Walker had a 2018 to forget as injuries, suspensions and poor form saw him take a step back among the competition's elite key forwards.
Now sharing the responsibility with inspirational midfielder Rory Sloane, Walker will be hoping for a fresh start in 2019 and become the dominant presence inside the Crows' forward line that saw them rise to a grand final birth just two years ago.
At 28, it is a critical time for the co-captain as he looks to build his legacy as an Adelaide great and steer his side back up the ladder.
EARLY PREDICTIONS...
1. Adelaide will be a top four side.
2. Wayne Milera will earn his first All-Australian guernsey
3. Brad Crouch will play all 22 home and away games.
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