With the 2015 Premiership season near and the Pre-Season NAB Challenge games fast-approaching, Alex Docherty takes a look at the 5 players who are the most crucial to your club’s immediate or future success.
The Adelaide Crows are a side I thought pulled out one of the big surprises of 2014 by sacking then-coach, Brenton Sanderson at the end of the season. The Crows later announced that Port Adelaide assistant coach, Phil Walsh would be assigned as the replacement for 2015 and beyond.
Then came an even bigger surprise when it was announced that Taylor Walker would replace Nathan Van Berlo as captain of the Crows for the 2015 season. I say it’s a surprise because I would’ve expected the likes of Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane or even Daniel Talia to get the job ahead of him. But there must be something that he’s doing over there that Adelaide insiders love.
Adelaide finished 10th in 2014, winning half the games that they have contested. They will be no doubt be looking to shoot for a place in the final eight in 2015, trying to replicate their feat in 2012 (They were a goal away from the Grand Final). Here are the five players who I think are very important to their finals chances.
5. Rory Sloane
There’s no doubt in my mind that Rory Sloane is a premium midfielder in this Adelaide squad. He doesn’t do flashy moves, he just sees the ball, and gets the ball. He’s a favourite of mine in this Adelaide side and they would struggle without him in. Scott Thompson is heading into his twilight years, Patrick Dangerfield carrying the side so much, and Brad Crouch, although considered the future of Adelaide’s midfield, has been battling injuries. Sloane’s averaged 23 disposals a game in the past two seasons, but I think he is capable of bumping up that average a tad.
4. Sam Jacobs
Since coming across from Carlton as a rookie-listed ruckman, Sam Jacobs has made the number one ruckman title his own at Adelaide, establishing himself as one of the game’s more dominant ruckmen. Jacobs has been named in the All-Australian initial squad of 40 twice (2012 and 2014), and set career-highs of 16 disposals a game and 34 hit-outs a game in 2014. At 26 years of age, Jacobs is in the prime of his AFL career, and if he hasn’t got an All-Australian next to his name now, he should get one when he eventually retires.
3. Patrick Dangerfield
One of the best midfielders going around in the game today, Dangerfield possesses such elite speed, and carries pure strength. He is one of those players that can play the outside running midfielder role as well as the inside, contested ball-winning midfielder role. On top of that, he can also shift down forward and kick very crucial goals, kicking bags of four, five and even a bag of six on past occasions. Dangerfield is out of contract at the end of the 2015 season and the fact he didn’t get the captaincy and that he continues to put contract talks on hold, could mean he could very well be out the door by seasons end. As concerning as that may be, Dangerfield, nonetheless, still remains a very important component in Adelaide’s midfield.
2. Taylor Walker
A key ingredient in Adelaide’s forward third, Walker returned from a horrific knee injury midway through season 2014 and helped out Adelaide to eight of their 11 wins, kicking 34 goals in the 15 games he’s played in. Now back with a full pre-season under his belt, I expect Walker to be up there in the Coleman medal race in 2015. He kicked 63 goals in 2012 and if he can replicate that sort of form, Adelaide fans will be more than delighted, and could very much see the Crows back in the finals.
1. Daniel Talia
Daniel Talia is one of the best key-defenders going around today. The 2012 AFL Rising Star winner enjoyed a breakout 2014 campaign, playing all 22 games and winning Adelaide’s best and fairest award, as well as his first All-Australian team selection, and he’s still only 23 years of age. Talia has kept the likes of Jarryd Roughead, Nick Riewoldt and Jack Riewoldt goalless. With the lack of key defenders with the retirement of Ben Rutten, the onus is now on Talia to carry the Crows’ defences for the next couple of years as it battles to get back in the race for the flag. His ability to shut down key forwards is invaluable to this Crows team.
