2018 AFL

Games Won 12

Ladder Position 12

Premiership position: 12th (12 wins, 10 losses).

Coach: Don Pyke

Captain: Taylor Walker

Anything that could go wrong did in 2018, as Adelaide tumbled from AFL grand finalists in 2017 to missing the finals.

The early premiership favourites made an encouraging start to the season, winning six of the first nine games. But a 91-point thrashing at the hands of Melbourne in Alice Springs in round ten was the first of four successive defeats. The Crows could not recover, finishing 12th with a 12-10 record.

The Club’s injury crisis had the most impact on its experienced players. Skipper Taylor Walker struggled with a foot injury for most of the year, Rory Sloane missed almost three months with a foot problem and there was a wave of hamstring injuries.

Brad Crouch (groin) missed the entire season for the second time in his career and Eddie Betts, Andy Otten, Kyle Hartigan, Tom Lynch, Mitch McGovern and Riley Knight were among others to miss chunks of games. Half-back Brodie Smith spent most of the year recovering from his torn ACL but returned to play two AFL games late in the season. McGovern?

On top of these problems, Adelaide was regularly in the national media spotlight after damaging reports surfaced about the club’s pre-season camp on the Gold Coast and subsequent player unrest. The story broke early in the season and did not go away, eventually leading to major changes across the Club.

There were also significant moves at West Lakes in the off-season.

The Crows lost two of their best young players after the 2017 grand final. Defender Jake Lever was traded to Melbourne and exciting small forward Charlie Cameron moved to Brisbane. But Adelaide was able to secure Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs, one year after he asked to move back to South Australia. Experienced North Melbourne midfielder Sam Gibson was also traded in for a late draft pick.

Adelaide claimed Glenelg’s Darcy Fogarty with its first pick in the national draft. The Crows also nominated Jackson Edwards, the son of dual premiership player Tyson, for a rookie father-son selection and picked former SANFL development player Lachlan Murphy as a rookie. Murphy, who followed friend and Crows draftee Matthew Signorello to South Australia, was the first member of the Club’s SANFL development squad to make it onto an AFL list.

After a six-year break from the Crows, Ben Hart returned to West Lakes. The two-time premiership defender, who began his coaching career with the Crows as an assistant from 2008 to 2011, was appointed assistant coach in charge of the defensive group.

Adelaide led Essendon by 20 points after kicking seven goals in the third term of the opening round but went down by two goals at Etihad Stadium. Fogarty, Tom Doedee and rookie Lachlan Murphy all made their AFL debuts and Gibbs starred in his first game for the Crows.

The Crows did not have to wait long to face 2017 premiers Richmond and this time Adelaide won by six goals at Adelaide Oval, although a win in March was no revenge for the grand final loss.

After Collingwood recorded a 48-point win over Adelaide in round four, wins against Sydney, Gold Coast and Carlton lifted the Crows into third spot. But they then lost the round eight Showdown by five points after leading by 27 points late in the second term. In a hectic last quarter, Adelaide was down by 18 points after eight minutes but kicked three quick goals and was back in front when Mitch McGovern marked and scored with 50 seconds left. Port, however, went forward from the next centre bounce and Steven Motlop won the game.

Four consecutive losses, starting with a 91-point drubbing at the hands of Melbourne and finishing with the club’s second-lowest ever score of 4.8 (32) against Hawthorn, saw Adelaide limp to its mid-season bye.

From that point the Crows claimed several good wins but not enough to jump back into the top eight. They kicked six last quarter goals to overrun eventual premiers West Coast by ten points in round 15 and also claimed a three-point Showdown win over Port, after a late controversial goal by Josh Jenkins.

Adelaide completed the minor round with wins against North Melbourne and Carlton (by 104 points) but Geelong finished one-game ahead of the Crows and the chasing pack. Four sides finished on 12 wins with Adelaide’s percentage, 104.1, the lowest.

Season Gallery

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 29: Rory Laird of the Crows is presented on stage with his All Australian Jackets during the 2018 Virgin Australia All Australian Awards at the Palais Theatre on August 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 6: Players pose during the Adelaide Crows 2018 official team photo day at AAMI Stadium on March 6, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 15: (L-R) Steven Hocking, General Manager Football Operations of the AFL, Ross Lyon, Senior Coach of the Dockers and Gillon McLachlan, Chief Executive Officer of the AFL look on as Kyle Cheney of the Crows and Steele Sidebottom of the Magpies compete for the ball during the AFLX match between the Adelaide Crows and the Collingwood Magpies at Hindmarsh Stadium on February 15, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 15: The Crows pose for a photograph after winning the AFLX grand final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Hindmarsh Stadium on February 15, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 07: Eddie Betts and Sam Jacobs of the Crows walks from the ground after the round three AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Adelaide Crows at Etihad Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 13: Players compete for the ball in the pouring rain during the round four AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Collingwood Magpies at Adelaide Oval on April 13, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images/AFL Media)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 20: Myles Poholke of the Crows celebrates with team mates in the dressing room during the round five AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Adelaide Crows at Sydney Cricket Ground on April 20, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 12: Richard Douglas of the Adelaide Crows during the round eight AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on May 12, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 18: Josh Dunkley of the Bulldogs competes with Daniel Talia of the Crows during the 2018 AFL round nine match between the Adelaide Crows and the Western Bulldogs at the Adelaide Oval on May 18, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 27: Wayne Milera of the Crows marks during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows at Traeger Park on May 27, 2018 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 03: Paul Seedsman of the Crows celebrates a goal with team mate Eddie Betts during the 2018 AFL round 11 match between the Adelaide Crows and the GWS Giants at the Adelaide Oval on June 03, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 16: Eddie Betts of the Crows celebrates a goal with teammates Bryce Gibbs (left) and Andy Otten (right) during the 2018 AFL round 13 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Adelaide Crows at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 16, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 30: Jack Redden of the Eagles clashes with Matt Crouch of the Crows during the 2018 AFL round15 match between the Adelaide Crows and the West Coast Eagles at the Adelaide Oval on June 30, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 12: Joel Selwood of the Cats clashes with Rory Sloane of the Crows during the 2018 AFL round 17 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on July 12, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 21: Lachlan Murphy of the Crows takes a mark during the round 18 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Adelaide Crows at The Gabba on July 21, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 04: Tom Doedee of the Crows is tackled by Travis Boak of the Power during the 2018 AFL round 20 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at the Adelaide Oval on August 04, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 04: Bryce Gibbs and Sam Jacobs of the Crows celebrate victory after the 2018 AFL round 20 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at the Adelaide Oval on August 04, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 11: David Mackay of the Crows walks through the race during the 2018 AFL round 21 match between the GWS Giants and the Adelaide Crows at UNSW Canberra Oval on August 11, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Media)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 25: Elliott Himmelberg of the Crows handballs during the 2018 AFL round 23 match between the Carlton Blues and the Adelaide Crows at Etihad Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Media)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 23: Darcy Fogarty of the Crows (left) celebrates his first league goal with teammate Bryce Gibbs during the 2018 AFL round 01 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Adelaide Crows at Etihad Stadium on March 23, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 23: Hugh Greenwood of the Crows points to the heavens after kicking a goal during the 2018 AFL round 01 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Adelaide Crows at Etihad Stadium on March 23, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 23: Eddie Betts of the Crows attempts a spectacular mark over Michael Hurley of the Bombers as Mitch McGovern of the Crows and Adam Saad of the Bombers compete during the 2018 AFL round 01 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Adelaide Crows at Etihad Stadium on March 23, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 29: Lachlan Murphy of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round 02 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval on March 28, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James ElsbyAFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 29: Hugh Greenwood of the Crows closely watches then celebrates a goal with team mate Darcy Fogarty during the 2018 AFL round 02 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval on March 28, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

Rory Laird won his first Malcolm Blight Medal as Club Champion (ahead of runner-up Matt Crouch) and second All-Australian selection, in the back pocket. Crows fans also awarded Laird their Members’ Most Valuable Player award.

Richard Douglas clinched his third Best Team Man award and Jenkins ended Betts’ run of leading goalkicker awards, bagging 46 majors and finishing third in the Club Champion votes.

The upside was the emergence of several youngsters.

After two seasons in the SANFL, first round draft pick Tom Doedee had a breakout first AFL season to finish second in the NAB AFL Rising Star and win Adelaide’s Emerging Talent and Players’ Trademark awards. He excelled as an intercept-marking defender.

Wayne Milera found a home at half back, midfielder Hugh Greenwood had a consistent season to finish sixth in the best and fairest, Fogarty played ten AFL games and Jordan Gallucci played 16 games and showed his potential by kicking four goals in the last round.

Adelaide had a tough season in the SANFL, winning just one game and finishing on the bottom of the ladder for the first time.

Injuries to Adelaide’s senior list challenged the depth of the State League side, with an average of ten development players required to fill the side every game.

Adelaide’s one win came in the round 14 Showdown against Port Adelaide at Kadina. A sensational ten-goal final term with the wind turned the game after Port led by eight points at the last break.

In his first season at the Crows, Sturt premiership player Patrick Wilson dominated the midfield and was rewarded with the State League Club Champion award. Wilson, named in The Advertiser 2018 SANFL Team of the Year, finished on 105 votes, ahead of forward Elliott Himmelberg and midfielder Matthew Signorello (69).

Fifty players represented Adelaide in the SANFL in 2018, with 25 of those being development squad members. Defender Corey Davey, originally from Port Pirie, won the Dean Bailey Award as the best development player.

Awards and Achievements

All Australian: Rory Laird

Phil Walsh Best Team Man: Richard Douglas

Players’ Trademark Award: Tom Doedee

Members MVP Award: Rory Laird

Leading goalkicker: Josh Jenkins

Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award: Tom Doedee

Dr Brian Sando Award: Tom Doedee

Crows Children’s Foundation Community Leadership Award: Hugh Greenwood

Showdown Medal: –

State League Club Champion: Patrick Wilson

Dean Bailey Award: Corey Davey

AFC Life Membership: Rory Sloane, Andy Otten, Alan Stewart, Rob Reid

Other news

Adelaide competed in Group A of the inaugural pre-season AFLX competition. All matches were played at Hindmarsh Stadium on February 15. After defeating Collingwood and West Coast to finish the top of their pool, the Crows defeated Geelong by eight points in the final and became the first AFLX premiers.
David Mackay became the 16th Crow to play 200 AFL games for Adelaide, reaching the milestone in Round 21.
John Condon was awarded the AFL’s Jack Titus Service Award for outstanding service to football. He had nearly 60 years of commitment to the game across the Prospect, North Adelaide and Adelaide football clubs.
Alan Stewart was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the AFL Coaches’ Association for his invaluable contribution to the game. He dedicated more than 50 years to football, including 13 years as a senior recruitment officer at Adelaide before announcing his retirement at the end of 2017. He also received Life Membership of the Adelaide Football Club.

List changes

In: Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), Sam Gibson (North Melbourne), Darcy Fogarty (Glenelg), Andrew McPherson (Woodville-West Torrens), Hugh Greenwood (promoted rookie), Alex Keath (promoted rookie). Rookies: Jackson Edwards (Glenelg, father-son selection), Lachlan Murphy (Northern U18/Crows SANFL development squad), Patrick Wilson (Sturt).

Out: Scott Thompson (retired), Charlie Cameron (Brisbane), Jake Lever (Melbourne), Jonathon Beech, Dean Gore, Troy Menzel, Sam Shaw, Harrison Wigg (Gold Coast)

First game players

Tom Doedee, v Essendon at Etihad Stadium, 23/3/18 (player debut order 216)

Darcy Fogarty, v Essendon at Etihad Stadium, 23/3/18 (217)

Bryce Gibbs, v Essendon at Etihad Stadium, 23/3/18 (218)

Lachlan Murphy, v Essendon at Etihad Stadium, 23/3/18 (219)

Myles Poholke, v Sydney at SCG, 20/4/18 (220)

Sam Gibson, v Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, 18/5/18 (221)

Patrick Wilson, v Hawthorn at MCG, 16/6/18 (222)

Elliott Himmelberg, v Carlton at Etihad Stadium, 25/8/18 (223)

Life Members

The 2018 squad

Back row (from left): Riley Knight (3), Wayne Milera (30), Sam Gibson (20), Rory Atkins (21), Matthew Signorello (35), Paul Seedsman (11), Brodie Smith (33), Tom Doedee (39), Kyle Cheney (25), Curtly Hampton (17), Luke Brown (16), Rory Laird (29). Third row: Jake Kelly (8), Mitch McGovern (41), Andy Otten (22), Kyle Hartigan (15), Harry Dear (38), Paul Hunter (37), Reilly O’Brien (43), Josh Jenkins (4), Elliott Himmelberg (34), Alex Keath (42), Darcy Fogarty (32), Hugh Greenwood (1), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (28). Second row: David Mackay (14), Eddie Betts (18), Daniel Talia (12), Matt Crouch (5), Taylor Walker (13), Don Pyke (senior coach), Rory Sloane (9), Tom Lynch (27), Sam Jacobs (24), Bryce Gibbs (6), Richard Douglas (26) .Front row: Ben Jarman (45), Jordan Gallucci (7), Andrew McPherson (36), Brad Crouch (2), Patrick Wilson (31), Ben Davis (40), Myles Poholke (10), Jackson Edwards (19), Lachlan Murphy (44).

2018 Jumpers

Another change of collar and the gold guernsey was removed from the jumper set, leaving the white-based guernsey as the only clash option in 2018. It was worn in nine away games. Toyota promoted Hilux and Hybrid on the back of the jumpers. The new Indigenous Round jumper was designed by Crow Wayne Milera’s uncle Roger Rigney. The words “You are a warrior” were written inside the collar on the home and away jumpers.

Taylor Walker, Kyle Cheney and Matt Crouch (main jumper); ‘You are a Warrior’ on the collar; Sam Jacob and Walker (clash); 2018 Indigenous jumper.