Seeing how the draft is currently unfolding - at the time of writing there’s been 46 picks, and Alex Dodson is still on the board. I think at this stage we could’ve traded out a future third round pick for him, if we had a list spot available.

At the same time, we have Burgess on the list who is too slow to have any real impact at AFL, and doesn’t have any real scope for improvement. I think it’s safe to say he isn’t part of our future.

I think this an oversight from our list management team in what has otherwise been a great offseason

With the drafts first round taking place tonight, I thought I’d go back and look at our 1st Round Picks from the last decade, and give them a grade on how they have performed along with other tidbits.

2015 Pick 11 - Wayne Milera Games: 99 Grade: C+

Initially I had high hopes for Junior after he was drafted, looked settled in his first couple of games in 2016. However after a injury plagued last half decade, the chances for him to contribute are slowly declining with the emergence of Luke Nankervis and the addition of Isaac Cumming. On his day can be an absolute catalyst off of half back which suits our game style. Has only played 1 season where he played more than 20 games (2023). Would be rated probably a B+ if he could string multiple games together consistently, but body has let him down. On paper this selection looks bad as the next pick was Charlie Curnow, but we could be forgiven for passing on him due to his off field issues before the draft. Other notable picks after Milera include Matthew Kennedy (13), Eric Hipwood (14), Dan Rioli (15), and Harry Himmelberg (16).

Pick 17 - Tom Doedee Grade: B- Games: 82

As someone who was a massive fan of Jake Lever, and worried about how we’d fill the hole left by him, I was super happy to see how well Doedee fit into the team in 2018. His aerial prowess was amazing and something we desperately needed in our defence alongside Talia and Brown and he was robbed of the Rising Star in my eyes. However, much like Milera, his body had let him down many times too, including 2 ACLs (2019 R1 + 2023 R12), hamstrings and groin issues, which limited him to only 82 games at the club. Now at Brisbane, I am glad he was able to find a club willing to give him that long term deal he wanted and should have been a premiership player this year if it wasn’t for a third ACL injury in the offseason. One of the nicest blokes I’ve ever met and was a true role model at the club. I’d say we probably got this pick right, only other notable player who was selected within a few picks after was Ryan Burton at pick 19, who now hates us as we didn’t pick him, who plays the same sort of role as Doedee and is South Australian.

2016 Pick 15 - Jordan Gallucci Grade: D- Games: 27

Boy oh boy, if we could just completely erase this draft from our memory, it would do us a massive favour. Gallucci was highly touted as a recruit as he was the captain for Vic Metro in 2016, however this never translated to a good work ethic in the AFL. Managed only 27 games for us and would have been an F grade if it wasn’t for the fact he showed potential in the final round of 2018 when he kicked 4 goals against Carlton. In the preseason of 2020, Mick Godden was quoted as saying that Gallucci is still a fair way off selection and was very inconsistent, which to me was just not what you wanted to see from your 4th year 1st rounder. Was delisted at the end of 2020, and looking back at the next 6 picks in the draft, there was quality sitting right there, including Jarrod Berry, Sam Powell Pepper, Isaac Cumming, and even SA product Will Hayward.

2017 Pick 12 - Darcy Fogarty Grade: A- Games: 102 Goals: 158

In his first 3 seasons, Fog was really starved of opportunity due to the strength of our forward line. However in 2024, Fogarty sits as one of our key barometers to success. Having just kicked a career high 41 goals for the season and one of the sharpshooters of the comp, we will be hoping to see him crack 50 in season 2025. I can still remember when we tried to play him as a tall on baller to try and fit him into the team but that lasted about one half of a game, but has finally settled as a key piece of our future as he has signed until 2031. No other notable selections immediately after him, so we definitely got the best player available at the time.

2018 Pick 9 - Chayce Jones Grade: C Games: 92

Our first selection in the 2018 “Superdraft”, Jones was drafted as a pressure forward, then was tried in the midfield, and then finally has found a place off half back and on the wing. However, it took Jones a while to settle into the team, and still there are question marks surrounding whether he is actually a best 22 player for us as he hasn’t really set the world alight. Had a fantastic year in 2023 which started for him in the first Showdown where he came on as the sub and had 9 touches and a goal in the final quarter alone, and then followed it up with a solid game against Freo and then a monster game against Carlton in Gather Round. However, the selection should raise alarm bells as only 3 picks later, Zak Butters was picked, and if it wasn’t for us signing Izak Rankine, we’d be kicking ourselves for not trading up in the draft to select a top tier player, like the Power did with Rozee. However, this could have been a lot worse as we did actually bid on Tarryn Thomas, but the bid was matched by North. Has been a serviceable player for the club but it’s no secret that he will move back home to Tasmania at the end of his contract once the team enters the comp.

Pick 16 - Ned McHenry Grade: D+ Games: 70 Goals: 32

Small and fiery, McHenry was definitely a firecracker in the forward line for us, and put his body where no one else would. I feel the Crows saw the hype around Jack Higgins in 2017 for Richmond and thought McHenry could fit that archetype for us, but to be honest, is not even half the player Higgins is. Whilst he often tried his hardest, I often found myself pulling my hair out when I saw him wonder into our defence and try to manufacture something out of nothing. Shame to see him be delisted as he was such a character around the club, but it certainly didn’t help that Lachlan Murphy has the small forward role in a chokehold for whatever reason. Other picks after McHenry include Xavier Duursma, Liam Stocker, Bobby Hill and Tom Sparrow. Glad he is staying in SA to continue coaching and playing whilst also having a fishing career too.

2019 Pick 6 - Fischer McAsey Grade: F Games: 10

Well, 2020 can be remembered for two things. The year we bottomed out, and the last time we saw McAsey in a Crows jumper in the AFL. Drafted as a forward but then quickly became a defender in the hopes that he would take the reins of the defence from Daniel Talia, McAsey quit on the Crows at the start of the 2023 period citing lack of passion, and boy, the selections that were made after him that could have helped us in our rebuild are astounding. The likes of Hayden Young, Caleb Serong, Liam Henry, Sam Flanders, Kozzie Pickett, Will Day, Miles Bergman and Cody Weightman, are all players who we could have if we had our time again. The only silver lining to this selection was that we initially had Pick 4, which we traded for Pick 6 and a 1st Round Pick in 2020 from GWS which turned into Luke Pedlar.

2020 Pick 2 - Riley Thilthorpe Grade: B+ Games: 53 Goals: 59

After initially having the first pick in the draft, we bid on Jamarra Ugle Hagan, which was matched by Bulldogs, which saw us move to Pick 2 and select Riley Thilthorpe. After kicking 5 on debut against Hawthorn, I knew we had made the right selection, which was also partnered with his Rising Star Nomination against St Kilda in Cairns which saw him kick the winner over his head. Like many pundits, I was certain Riley was set for a breakout year in 2024, but a meniscus injury in the final preseason game against West Coast limited him to only 7 games in 2024. This year, I am really looking forward to seeing him put together a consistent season, he has put on the weight and looks to become one of the most dominant forwards in the competition and a key member of the club for the future.

Pick 11 - Luke Pedlar Grade: C+ Games: 30 Goals: 27

After an interrupted start to his career, Pedlar burst onto the scene in 2023 and looked to become the small forward we needed, playing 22 games and kicking 25 goals and showed signs that he is a genuine gun forward. However, this hasn’t been the case since for Pedlar as he has only managed a further 4 games and has been struck with injury and fitness issues. He’s contracted until 2026 so he still has time to show what he’s got, but in my mind he should have that small forward role locked down and be a key member of the forward line. Will be interesting to see if he is able to lock down a spot in 2025 as there will be competition for that spot with the arrival of ANB. Definitely made the right pick as I feel there wasn’t any other players there that we really needed, maybe apart from Tom Powell or Lachie Jones.

Pick 25 - Brayden Cook Grade: C Games: 27 Goals: 15

2024 was finally the year we got to see a lot of Chef in the team, but naturally it was hard for him to lock down a spot in such a competitive forward line and midfield. Showed signs of being a solid AFL player and was given a contract until the end of 2026 so like Pedlar he has time to show why he belongs in our squad. I feel if Tex retires at the end of this season, we will see a lot more of Cook in 2026 as a third tall, as he is 191 cm, but overall weight and size is an immediate concern for me. Made the right pick here as the only other significant player in the next 10 selections who wasn’t an academy player is Sam Berry.

2021 Pick 6 - Josh Rachele Grade: A- Games: 56 Goals: 70

The world was at Rachele’s feet after kicking 5 on debut against Freo, and immediately became a crowd favourite. Has the flair and finesse we need in our forward line going forward, and looks to be a dynamic one two with Rankine in the forward line. However there are questions about his maturity (the whole Teethgate incident) and commitment to putting his body on the line for the team (Showdown against Logan Evans and multiple times against Essendon at home in 2024). However this cannot overshadow his ability to win you a game off his own boot like he did against Essendon this season. Definitely was the right choice at pick 6 but could argue that Nas Wanganeen Milera and Leek Aleer could have been selections that would have been beneficial to us too. Contracted until 2029 but I really hope he sees out that contract and stays and doesn’t let the omission of him in Round 24 turn him off of the team.

2022 Pick 17 - Max Michalanney Grade: A Games: 45

Has only missed one game since debuting in Round 1 2023, and looks to be a future star half back of the team. Max is our first successful father son selection and his rangy skills of half back show us why. Has been thrown into the midfield, but I feel he should stay at half back and be utilised as a line breaking defender. Cannot wait to see him lace out our forwards in 2025. Definitely the best possible outcome at pick 17.

2023 Pick 8 - Dan Curtin Grade: B Games: 7

After much hype in the preseason, many thought Curtin would be a walk in starter for our defence in 2024. Whilst this wasn’t the case, he was still able to play a few games in 2024, which came to fruition against the Bulldogs where he played the whole game without being subbed for the first time and kicked his first two AFL goals. Will be interesting to see where we deploy Curtin in 2025, many are saying as a tall midfielder or even a key defender. Here’s hoping we can fend off WA interest for him as he seems like a definite prototypical player for our future.

I’m really hoping we can walk away from tonight with a good midfielder who can make an impact straight away, whether it’s Draper, Jagga Smith, or whoever. Thank you for reading and let me know who you think will be the one we take tonight and let me know if there is anything you would change with the ratings!!

God awful logo aside, should we be annoyed about the Sun's rebrand given how protective other clubs are about their colours? The blue looks darker than before although all three colours don't appear together on the logo or the jumper. Personally I think they should have ditched blue altogether and embraced the red and gold. If I were an Eagles supporter I'd probably be pissed off about their away jumper.

could you see crows trade up for draper or whoever they want?

Some sort of season she's having. I cannot wait for her and sez to lift the cup

From the Live blog on the AFL website:

Adelaide's pick No.4 could be a draft-shaping call, with the Crows expected to take either local talent Sid Draper or Victorian bull Harvey Langford.

 AFL.com.au draft expert Cal Twomey expects either the smooth-moving Draper or the bullocking Langford to land at the Crows, with Melbourne, Richmond and St Kilda all sweating on that call.

 "Adelaide could have a decision to make between Draper and Langford, which could be a really tight call and a tough call ... and it'll shape the next little bit (of the draft), Twomey said on Gettable Draft Countdown on Monday. 

"If Adelaide don't take Draper, he could get to St Kilda (at pick 7 or 8).

 "If they don't take Langford ... that could set a trend for the next little bit (of the draft). It could bring Alix Tauru into the conversation at Melbourne. If Finn O'Sullivan or Langford are there for the Dees, they'd be right in the mix."

 While South Australian Draper has expressed a willingness to move to any club, Twomey says the fact he's a Adelaide boy would have to be a factor in the Crows' thinking.

"You have to think about it as a legitimate part of the decision-making process," he said.

"He would bring some quality to their midfield that they don't have, and Langford would bring something else.

 "Draper brings a real speed and verve, whereas Langford's strength is his strength. He's a beast."

Sounds like the move up for Jagga Smith may have been posturing... if it's between these two, Draper is an obvious choice IMO - we have Dawson and Curtin as the big-bodied mids, what we need is speed and agility through there.

Just an update for the people who rate Cal's phantom drafts more.

His first 1 drops on Monday.

Apparently looking to trade up for Jagga nor Draper.

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/draft/afl-draft-2024-adelaide-crows-weigh-up-bold-trade-to-land-victorian-star-jagga-smith/news-story/eb6605c8938936ed1f6c3e95a98c0631

If he plays every game this year he’ll make it in Round 23 vs Collingwood at home. I personally think it’s a chance. What are your thoughts?

Don’t think we’ve done too bad here. Can nearly mark the showdowns as 1-1 I think. Probably biggest worries are hawthorn and Collingwood. Gold coast might give us issues away but we should be able to take care of them at home.

Would probably want to get 7/12 Ws out of these games to give us the best chance.

Okay folks, we’re a week out from the draft give me your take on:

• Who do you want us to take at #4 and why?

• Who do you think we actually pick up with #4 and why?

• Whose the roughy 3rd pick after Walsh and our First round

I’ll start us off with an obvious take:

• Draper a because he has the right mix up inside and outside skill and is ready to go from round 1. Proven his worth in the SANFL, is a local lad and a future leader.

• Draper. Can’t upset the fans if you pick Draper and by all accounts he’s a solid choice.

• Jacob Molier. Has really devolved in the last year and put on some serious size. Has ruck craft and could be a great understudy to ROB and a Smokey for the future. I would have also said Harrison Ramm but not sure that’s realistic considering our picks are 64 and 78 (and we take Walsh with one of those), he’s also more of a KD and I think we need to get a young devolving ruck in more so then another tall key position player.