The bells certainly were not ringing in the City of Churches last year as the Crows ignominiously rounded out the bottom four when it was expected that they would literally be in the opposite position, either through the pressure they placed on themselves, or the fact that they over performed the year before last.
The pressure would be an order of magnitude higher this year as the long-suffering Adelaide fans need to justify their place in the AFL as an artificial franchise, read on for my thoughts on the top five most under pressure Adelaide Crows players this year.
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5. Reilly O’Brien
The vicissitudes of O’Brien have been a curiosity for the AFL enjoying public to view from the inopportune timing of his verbal stoush with Nic Naitanui to sharing selfies with Jordan Peterson, also coinciding with a decline in form.
O’Brien is actually one of the best rucks in the AFL, ranking elite for hitouts (42.8) and hitouts to advantage (12.2), both of which are significantly higher than his career average.
He has lost a yard of pace qualitatively and with Sam Draper entering his free agency year the Crows may be looking for someone that can do a little more damage around the ground particularly with Riley Thilthorpe also waiting in the wings as a ruck-forward and Kieran Strachan awaiting his opportunity with bated breath.
I expect that Reilly O’Brien may express his unrestricted free agency rights this coming year, but that will be a tragedy as he still has a lot that he can give the young Crows who’ve had their wings clipped this past season.
Pressure gauge: 5.5/10
4. Josh Rachele
It was a smaller improvement last season for Rachele as he failed to capitalise on the momentum built up in 2023 to consolidate a position as one of the pre-eminent midfielder-forwards of the competition.
Rachele’s career has been one defined by moments, beginning with a five-goal haul on debut to hearing the ghost of footsteps last year resulting in dropped marks.
He did show improvement in his goal-kicking nous, managing a career high 30 goals, however with Izak Rankine and Alex Neal-Bullen also forming an important pairing for the Crows small forward brigade, it is becoming harder to see how Rachele can fit with them, particularly given his deficiency in the composure department.
Josh Rachele celebrates a goal. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
I expect that for Rachele it is between the ears and it’s incumbent upon the Crows organisation that they put their arms around the young man and encourage his mercurial best to the fore, however, that does little to quieten the internal monologue that is sure to be playing.
Pressure Gauge: 6.5/10
3. Jordan Dawson
An incident of second year blues for the captain of the Adelaide Crows. His booming left boot was nowhere to be seen last season as his incisive kicking that had previously cut unsuspecting teams apart disappeared.
He became too similiar to the other midfielders in Rory Laird, and Matt Crouch: big and bullocking with no ability to use the footy appropriately. The captain of any side wears the pressure and machinations that they goe through more than anyone, but doubly so when they are an import expected to be the difference maker for the Crows that has all too often been lacking in the class department.
Pressure Gauge: 7/10
2. Taylor Walker
The big Texan was once considered to be the pinnacle of leadership of the AFL for how he led his side through the untimely demise of Phil Walsh. I will not take any respect away from how he led them then, however, when you consider the more recent history that occurred after the 2017 grand final, and the comments on Robbie Young in 2021 it is not nice reading.
Taylor Walker fends off Caleb Windsor. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
Walker’s career is one that should’ve ended thrice over, and that cognitive load must put the pressure on him. He had a decline in goal scoring last season only managing 27 after a late career resurgence the year before (where he managed 76 goals).
The Crows are still far too reliant on the aging Walker, and he is no longer managing to rise to those expectations. When you consider that alongside his actions in the past you cannot surmise anything else other than he would be under a growing amount of pressure.
Pressure gauge: 8.5/10
1. Izak Rankine
Rankine is in that vitally important position of the Dustin Martin role of forward half striker. He is expected to be at the centre bounce before pushing forward to be a threat offensively.
However, Rankine lacks the tank and the injury history to be an effective midfielder. I have no doubt that with a couple pre-seasons he can build the fitness; however the history of his actions as a forward-midfielder leave a lot to be desired for a Crows side that is running out of time.
His improvement in disposals (averaged 18 per game) came at the expense of his conduct forward of centre with 86 score involvements across the season whereas previously, he got 129 in 2023 and 111 in 2022. His ranking placed him 11th across the Crows for score involvement which is not what Matthew Nicks would’ve wanted to see when he made the decision to move Rankine into the guts.
Pressure Gauge: 9/10
Honourable mentions
The new logo: I think it’s dumb. Maybe hire a new graphic designer, Adelaide.
Matt Crouch
The only reason he isn’t on this list is because I expect he is gone at the end of the year and there isn’t anything he can do.
Matthew Nicks
If you read my North piece, you would’ve seen that I put Clarkson on that list. It is a similar rationale for Nicks, yet I do not believe he is under as much pressure as Clarkson as he does not have the track record.
Well there you have it folks. Rounding out the bottom four with Radelaide. What do you think? Do you agree? Leave your thoughts below and I will do my best to respond.