2016

Games Won 17

Ladder Position 6

Premiership position: Sixth (17 wins, 7 losses). Finished minor round 5th (16 wins, 6 losses)

Coach: Don Pyke

Captain: Taylor Walker

Season 2016 left everyone involved with Adelaide wanting more.

The Crows showed great promise under new senior coach Don Pyke, armed with an attractive and attacking game style that built on the legacy of Phil Walsh.

Big wins over Port Adelaide, Richmond and Gold Coast proved Adelaide’s potential early in the season, yet narrow losses to North Melbourne, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs left the Club clinging to a top-eight spot at the midway mark of the year.

But the Crows then entrenched themselves inside the eight for the rest of the season. Adelaide scored eight straight wins, including a stirring come-from-behind victory over West Coast in Perth and back-to-back wins at the MCG, to storm into top-four contention.

Big wins over Essendon and Brisbane, and then Port, positioned the Crows perfectly leading into the final round of the home and away season, but Adelaide fell agonisingly short of claiming a double chance and slipped to fifth after surprisingly falling to the Eagles at Adelaide Oval.

The Crows crushed North Melbourne in their first ever final at Adelaide Oval. After leading by 12 points at half-time, Adelaide surged to a 62-point win Betts booting six goals.

But the year came to an abrupt end the following week in a disappointing Semi-Final exit against Sydney at the SCG. The Swans led by 37 points at half-time and although Adelaide fought back in the third quarter it eventually went down by six goals.

Pyke, who was an assistant coach at Adelaide under Neil Craig in 2005-06, said: “Good is often the barrier of great. People get comfortable being good. If we, as a club are going to sit back and pat each other on the back and say it has been a really good year, then we will not progress.”

While the finish didn’t go to script, there was still much to celebrate throughout the season.

Having lost star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield to Geelong at the end of the 2015 season, a number of senior players stepped up to maintain high standards to ensure the Cows remained a threat.

Rory Sloane clinched his second Crows Club Champion award and was also named for the first time in the All Australian team, as vice-captain. He also finished runner-up in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year, as well as the peer-voted AFL Players’ Association MVP award.

Betts kicked 75 goals, including the Goal of the Year, and won AA selection for the second consecutive season. Talia was also recognised for the second time after another outstanding year in defence. Three other Crows, Rory Laird, Tom Lynch and Josh Jenkins, were named in the squad of 40.

Scott Thompson joined elite company by reaching the exclusive 300-game milestone, and Betts starred with five goals in Showdown XLI in his 250th AFL game. David Mackay (150 games), Talia and Brodie Smith (100) also reached significant milestones.

A number of young Crows also stepped up in 2016. Rory Atkins and Jake Lever played every game, Mitch McGovern, Wayne Milera junior and Reilly O’Brien all made their AFL debuts, while Charlie Cameron and Matt and Brad Crouch cemented their spots in the senior side.

Adelaide’s SANFL team qualified for finals for the first time, in its third season.

The side won 11 games to finish fourth and then won its first two finals against Central District and South Adelaide but went down to Sturt by 35 points in the preliminary final at Adelaide Oval.

Jonathon Beech capped off a strong first season as a Crow by claiming the SANFL Club Champion award from runner-up Mitch Grigg. Success was also driven by a host of other youngsters including Harrison Wigg, Harry Dear and Tom Doedee while rookie pair Hugh Greenwood and Alex Keath impressed after changing codes from basketball and cricket.

The side was captained by Luke Carey, who won the Dean Bailey Award as the best development squad player. From Echunga, Carey played 14 games including the finals.

A 74-point win over 2015 premiers West Adelaide in the opening round was the first of four consecutive wins. Adelaide won its home Showdown against Port Adelaide at Mannum and also took the points against Sturt when they clashed at Thebarton Oval in round 15.

Adelaide then won three of its last four minor round games to secure the side’s maiden SANFL finals berth.

Former Crows AFL captain Nathan van Berlo played his last game for the Club in the preliminary final and was applauded from the field by a guard of honour of Adelaide and Sturt players.

Cam Ellis-Yolmen was named in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Awards and Achievements

All Australians: Eddie Betts, Daniel Talia, Rory Sloane

Phil Walsh Best Team Man: Eddie Betts

Club Coach’s Award: Rory Sloane

19th Man Award: Rory Sloane

Leading goalkicker: Eddie Betts

Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award: Jake Lever

Dr Brian Sando Award: David Mackay

Showdown Medals: Tom Lynch (round 2), M Crouch (round 22)

State League Club Champion: Jonathon Beech

Dean Bailey Award: Luke Carey

AFC Life Membership: John Condon OAM, David Mackay, Adrian Sutter

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Taylor Walker of the Crows addresses his players during the 2016 AFL Round 01 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Adelaide Crows at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne on March 26, 2016. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 16: Scott Thompson of the Crows celebrate his 300th game with Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane during the 2016 AFL Round 17 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Collingwood Magpies at the Adelaide Oval on July 16, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 16: Levi Greenwood of the Magpies clashes with Brodie Smith of the Crows during the 2016 AFL Round 17 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Collingwood Magpies at the Adelaide Oval on July 16, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Reilly O’Brien of the Crows gets a Gatorade shower after his first match win during the 2016 AFL Round 20 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval on August 06, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 20: Sam Jacobs of the Crows competes with Matthew Lobbe of the Power during the 2016 AFL Round 22 match between Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at the Adelaide Oval on August 20, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Eddie Betts of the Crows celebrates a goal with team mates Mitch McGovern, Charlie Cameron and Taylor Walker during the 2016 AFL First Elimination Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at the Adelaide Oval on September 10, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 20: The moment before a Power fan threw a banana at Eddie Betts of the Crows during the 2016 AFL Round 22 match between Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at the Adelaide Oval on August 20, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 20: Rory Sloane of the Crows during the 2016 AFL Round 22 match between Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at the Adelaide Oval on August 20, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 2: Kyle Cheney of the Crows flies during the 2016 AFL Round 02 match between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on April 2, 2016. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 2: Daniel Talia of the Crows celebrates his 100th game during the 2016 AFL Round 02 match between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on April 2, 2016. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 2: Paul Seedsman, Mitch McGovern and Wayne Milera of the Crows during the 2016 AFL Round 02 match between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on April 2, 2016. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 9: (L-R) Rory Laird, Rory Atkins and Rory Sloane of the Crows sing the team song after the 2016 AFL Round 03 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Adelaide Crows at the Etihad Stadium, Melbourne on April 9, 2016. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 16: Callum Mills of the Swans tackles Wayne Milera of the Crows during the 2016 AFL Round 04 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Sydney Swans at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on April 16, 2016. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Tom Lynch of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2016 AFL First Elimination Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at the Adelaide Oval on September 10, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 2: Charlie Dixon of the Power in a conflict with Tom Lynch and Taylor Walker of the Crows during the 2016 AFL Round 02 match between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on April 2, 2016. (Photo by /AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 30: Scott Thompson of the Crows tackled by Hayden Crozier of the Dockers during the 2016 AFL Round 06 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on April 30, 2016. (Photo by AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Eddie Betts of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2016 AFL Round 10 match between the Adelaide Crows and the GWS Giants at Adelaide Oval on May 28, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 03: James Harmes of the Demons and Matt Crouch of the Crows compete for the ball during the 2016 AFL Round 15 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 3, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media)

Nathan van Berlo and players of the Crows celebrate victory next to Joel Selwood and players of the Cats during the 2013 AFL Round 17 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at AAMI Stadium, Adelaide on July 21, 2013. (Photo: AFL Media)

Other news

Former captain Nathan van Berlo announced his retirement after 205 AFL appearances. He led the Club for four seasons and had fought back from a serious Achilles injury in 2014.
The success also continued off the field. The Club broke its all-time membership record and reclaimed the crown for the highest average home attendance in the AFL and by any sporting club in the country.
Adelaide also won the right to South Australia’s first AFL Women’s licence, as one of the eight foundation clubs for the new competition in 2017.
Adelaide’s first 300-game player, and two-time premiership player, Ben Hart was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

List changes

In: Dean Gore (Geelong), Paul Seedsman (Collingwood), Curtly Hampton (GWS), Troy Menzel (Carlton), Wayne Milera jnr (Central District), Tom Doedee (Geelong U18). Rookies: Jonathon Beech (West Adelaide), Paul Hunter (Redland), Hugh Greenwood (basketball), Alex Keath (cricket)

Outs: Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong), Sam Kerridge (Carlton), James Podsiadly (retired), Brent Reilly (retired), Matthew Jaensch (retired in February), Brodie Martin, Sam Siggins, Matthew Wright, Anthony Wilson, Jack Osborn.

First game players

Mitch McGovern, v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, 26/3/16 (debut order 206)

Wayne Milera, v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, 26/3/2016 (207)

Paul Seedsman, v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, 26/3/16 (208)

Reilly O’Brien, v Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval, 6/8/16 (209)

All Australians

*Eddie Betts, Daniel Talia and Rory Sloane*

2016 Life Members

*2016 Board (from left): Andrew Payze, Mark Ricciuto, Kate Gould, Jim Hazel, Rob Chapman (chairman), Andrew Fagan (CEO), Linda Fellows, Rod Jameson, Bob Foord.*

Alex Keath flies for a mark against Sturt in Adelaide’s first SANFL game at Thebarton Oval.

The 2016 squad

Back row (from left): Matthew Jaensch (10), Mitch Grigg (8), Jarryd Lyons (31), Brodie Smith (33), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (28), Mitch McGovern (41), Keenan Ramsey (46), Tom Lynch (27), Sam Shaw (34), Kyle Cheney (25), Curly Hampton (17), Troy Menzel (32). Third row: Charlie Cameron (23), Paul Seedsman (11), Andy Otten (22), Josh Jenkins (4), Paul Hunter (37), Luke Lowden (40), Sam Jacobs (24), Reilly O’Brien (43(, Harry Dear (38), Kyle Hartigan (15), Jake Lever (6), Alex Keath (42), Brad Crouch (2). Second row: Luke Brown (16), Eddie Betts (18), David Mackay (14), Richard Douglas (26), Daniel Talia (12), Taylor Walker (captain, 13), Don Pyke (senior coach), Nathan van Berlo (7), Scott Thompson (5), Rory Sloane (9), Rick Henderson (45), Matt Crouch (44), Rory Laird (29). Front row: Riley Knight (3), Rory Atkins (21), Tom Doedee (39), Hugh Greenwood (20), Harrison Wigg (35), Dean Gore (36), Jono Beech (1), Wayne Milera jnr (31), Jake Kelly (47).

2016 Jumpers

The full hoops returned as Adelaide refreshed its set of jumpers. For the first time since 2005, the bands at the bottom continued around the main jumper. The Crows introduced new yellow and white-based away jumpers with bands of red, yellow and blue across the front middle. The Indigenous Round jumper was designed by artist Susie Betts, the aunt of Eddie Betts. The main guernsey was worn in both finals.

New home guernsey, Rory Atkins; Charlie Cameron and gold away; Rory Laird, Jarryd Lyons and Eddie Betts in the white away jumper; Betts celebrates a goal in the 2016 Indigenous Round jumper