2023 AFL

Games Won 11

Ladder Position 10

Premiership position: 10th (11 wins, 12 losses)

Coach: Matthew Nicks

Captain: Jordan Dawson

Adelaide continued its rise up the premiership table in 2023 but finished the season ruing missed opportunities and a controversial end to its last home game.

The Crows finished tenth with 11 wins from 23 games after a decision not to call for a goal review late in round 23 against Sydney probably cost the Crows a chance to play for a top eight finish in the last minor round.

The competition’s heaviest scorer, Adelaide remained a challenger late in the season despite a series of serious injuries to defenders Tom Doedee, Jordan Butts and Nick Murray, and winger Chayce Jones.

The Crows lost five games by a goal or less, including both games against eventual premiers Collingwood. Two Showdown wins against Port Adelaide were highlights but Adelaide squandered some strong starts in several games and also staged some remarkable comebacks from poor positions.

Jordan Dawson, recruited by the Crows at the end of 2021, took over as captain after Rory Sloane stepped down from the role to focus on his return from a knee reconstruction.

Adelaide added exciting forward Izak Rankine to its squad by trading a first round pick to Gold Coast. It also drafted father-son eligible Max Michalanney, the son of former Norwood star Jim Michalanney.

Both impressed in their Crows AFL debuts in the opening round against GWS but it was a frustrating start for Adelaide, which led by 28 points at half-time before the Giants added 11 goals to four in the second half to win by 16 points.

Adelaide’s first home game for 2023 started badly, with Richmond leading by 45 points at half-time. The Crows sliced the margin to one point in the last term before the Tigers booted the final five goals of the game.

It was Adelaide’s turn to kick away in Showdown 53. The Power led 84-80 at the 11-minute mark of the last quarter before the Crows booted the last six goals to win by 31 points. Dawson, switched into the midfield, won his second Showdown Medal.

After a solid win against Fremantle, Adelaide launched the AFL’s new SA-based Gather Round with a stunning Thursday night win against Carlton. The Crows kicked eight of the first nine goals before easing to a 56-point win.

Adelaide’s fourth consecutive win was its first in Launceston since 2005 but it trailed Hawthorn by nine points late in the last term until goals from Rankine and Darcy Fogarty secured the points.

Adelaide’s first heartbreaking loss to Collingwood, by one point, came after it led by 22 points early in the last quarter. The Crows then lost to Geelong at Kardinia Park before returning to the top eight with a 52-point win against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval.

After a poor performance in Ballarat against the Western Bulldogs, Adelaide broke Brisbane’s winning streak in round 11 but then lost a fluctuating game against Gold Coast in Darwin. The Crows led by 35 points midway through the second term, the Suns kicked nine consecutive goals to lead by 21 points, Adelaide responded to recapture the lead early in the final term and then the Suns rallied to win by 25 points. Intercept defender Doedee ruptured an ACL early in the game.

Taylor Walker celebrated his 250th AFL game by kicking a career-high ten goals in Adelaide’s record-breaking 122-point demolition of West Coast before the bye.

Adelaide’s first appearance at the MCG in 2023 had a flat start, with Collingwood leading by 33 points just before half-time. But the Crows hit back in style by adding seven goals to none in the third quarter, turning a 27-point half-time deficit into a 13-point three-quarter time lead. Collingwood regained some control in the last term but Walker’s fifth goal cut the margin to one point with three minutes left. The Magpies held on to win by two points.

After hammering North Melbourne by 11 goals in round 16, Adelaide was unable to recover from Essendon’s blazing start at Marvel Stadium and then allowed GWS to boot all five goals of a gripping last term after it led by 17 points at the last break.

Back at the MCG in round 19, Adelaide staged another stirring comeback against Melbourne but lost by four points and also lost Murray to a knee injury.

Walker booted a Showdown-equalling record of seven goals in Adelaide’s 47-point win against Port. He won the Showdown Medal after one of the best performances of his career, days after the 33-year-old signed a new deal for 2024. Irishman Mark Keane, a late addition to Adelaide’s rookie list during the pre-season, made his AFL debut for the Club.

A 28-point win against Gold Coast was followed by another tight finish, Adelaide falling six points short of Brisbane at the Gabba.

But the Crows’ finals hopes ended in round 23 with a demoralising one-point loss to Sydney at Adelaide Oval. The Swans led by 44 points late in the second quarter but Adelaide stormed home in the final term. Ben Keays celebrated kicking a goal to give the Crows the lead with 60 seconds to go but his shot was judged to have grazed the goalpost. The AFL later apologised for the error but the result could not be overturned.

Adelaide’s season ended with a win in Perth. Adelaide shook off West Coast by kicking the last eight goals of the game and Walker kicked nine goals to briefly take the lead in the Coleman Medal race.

Dawson played every game and capped an incredible first year as Crows captain by winning his first Malcolm Blight Medal.

The 26-year-old, who also claimed All-Australian honours for the first time in 2023, polled 132 votes to be crowned Adelaide’s Club Champion from three-time winner Rory Laird, who was runner-up with 115 votes. Dawson’s career-best season coincided with his permanent move into the midfield, which led to him averaging 27 disposals, three clearances and six tackles a game. Laird and Dawson both polled 20 votes in the Brownlow Medal.

Fellow first-time All-Australian Walker finished third with 98 votes after kicking a career-high 76 goals. He was voted as the Members’ most valuable player.

Rankine and defender Mitch Hinge both polled 92 votes to round out the top five. Rankine kicked 36 goals from 20 games in his first season with the Crows.

Matt Crouch revived his Crows AFL career late in the season, earning another contract after a series of strong performances in the midfield.

Teenage defender Michalanney won the Mark Bickley Emerging Talent award after playing 22 games in his impressive debut season.

Paul Seedsman retired at the end of the season after battling ongoing concussion-related symptoms for two years. He played 83 games for the Crows after 49 games at Collingwood.

Adelaide’s SANFL side reached another preliminary final but did not advance to its first grand final.

The Crows finished the minor round in third place after winning 13 of the 18 games. They defeated Sturt in the qualifying final but lost to Glenelg in the second semi-final and were knocked out the following week by Sturt. Glenelg beat Sturt in the grand final.

Captain Matthew Wright played his 300^th game of senior football in the last game and then announced his retirement.

Midfielder Jackson Hately claimed Adelaide’s 2023 SANFL Best and Fairest award. He received 111 votes, ahead of Tyler Brown (102) and Sam Berry, who finished third with 101 votes. Will Hamill was fourth (96) and two-time winner Kieran Strachan (91) was next. Lachlan Gollant was the leading goalkicker with 42 and finished sixth in the best-and-fairest.

Harry Schoenberg and Hately, Gollant and Strachan were named in The Advertiser SANFL 2023 Team of the Year.

Utility Blayne O’Loughlin claimed the Dean Bailey Award. From North Adelaide, O’Loughlin signed with Adelaide’s State League side as part of the SANFL Rookie Program. O’Loughlin, a nephew of former Sydney 300-gamer and AFL Indigenous Team of the Century star Michael O’Loughlin, played 15 SANFL games with the Crows, including the three finals.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 01: Lachlan Sholl of the Crows handballs during the round 16 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval, on July 01, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 15: Rory Sloane of the Crows carries his boys out for his 250th gamduring the round 18 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Adelaide Oval, on July 15, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 19: Josh Rachele of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 23 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval on August 19, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 29: Taylor Walker of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 20 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval on July 29, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 19: Paul Seedsman of the Crows walks off the oval with his baby – retiring during to concussion during the 2023 AFL Round 23 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval on August 19, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE – APRIL 13: Tom Doedee of the Crows with fans after the win during the 2023 AFL Round 05 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on April 13, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 19: Matt Crouch of the Crows handballs tackled by Luke Parker of the Swans during the round 23 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval, on August 19, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 15: Rory Laird of the Crows celebrates a goal during the round 18 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Adelaide Oval, on July 15, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 29: Crows celebrate Jordan Dawson of the Crows bringing the Showdown Trophy back during the round 20 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval, on July 29, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 15: Josh Worrell of the Crows marks during the round 18 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Adelaide Oval, on July 15, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Jake Soligo, Luke Pedlar and Lachlan Murphy of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 11 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval on May 28, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Izak Rankine of the Crows and Josh Worrell, and Max Michalanney walk down the race after the win during the 2023 AFL Round 11 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval on May 28, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 03: Riley Thilthorpe of the Crows and Levi Casboult of the Suns compete in a ruck contest during the 2023 AFL Round 12 match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Adelaide Crows at TIO Stadium on June 3, 2023 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 10: Taylor Walker of the Crows in the rooms with his sons after his 250th game and 10 goals during the 2023 AFL Round 13 match between the Adelaide Crows and the West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval on June 10, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 25: Jordan Dawson of the Crows leads his team up the race during the 2023 AFL Round 15 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Adelaide Crows at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 25, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 25: Nick Murray of the Crows takes a spectacular mark over Ash Johnson of the Magpies during the 2023 AFL Round 15 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Adelaide Crows at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 25, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 01: Luke Pedlar of the Crows handballs in front of Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos during the round 16 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval, on July 01, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 01: Izak Rankine of the Crows celebrates their win during the 2023 AFL Round 03 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on April 1, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE – APRIL 08: Mitchell Hinge of the Crows and Luke Jackson of the Dockers during the 2023 AFL Round 04 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval on April 8, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE – APRIL 08: Max Michalanney of the Crows marks the ball from Lachie Schultz of the Dockers during the 2023 AFL Round 04 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval on April 8, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 23: Blake Hardwick of the Hawks and Jake Soligo of the Crows compete for the ball during the 2023 AFL Round 06 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Adelaide Crows at UTAS Stadium on April 23, 2023 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA – MAY 06: Wayne Milera of the Crows, Brad Close of the Cats and Mitchell Hinge of the Crows compete for the ball during the 2023 AFL Round 08 match between the Geelong Cats and the Adelaide Crows at GMHBA Stadium on May 6, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 14: Chayce Jones of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 09 match between the Adelaide Crows and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on May 14, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 19: Ben Keays of the Crows and Izak Rankine celebrate what they thought was a goal – but had hit the post during the 2023 AFL Round 23 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval on August 19, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 19:Brodie Smith of the Crows reacts to the final siren during the round 23 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval, on August 19, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Awards and Achievements

All Australians: Taylor Walker, Jordan Dawson

Phil Walsh Best Team Man: Reilly O’Brien

Players Trademark award: Jordan Dawson

Members MVP Award: Taylor Walker

Leading goalkicker: Taylor Walker

Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award: Max Michalanney

Dr Brian Sando Award: Andrew McPherson

Adelaide Crows Foundation Community Leadership Award: Reilly O’Brien

Showdown Medals: Jordan Dawson (round three), Taylor Walker (round 20)

State League Club Champion: Jackson Hately

Dean Bailey Award: Blayne O’Loughlin

AFC Life Membership: TBC

Other news

Thebarton Oval remained the focus of Adelaide’s planning for a new headquarters. In October it was announced that the State Government would contribute $15 million to the project, plus $10 million for the Oval precinct.
Former Crows coach Neil Craig was announced as the winner of the 2023 Neale Daniher AFL Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
Rory Sloane became the tenth Crow to play 250 AFL games the Club, in round 18.

List changes

In: Izak Rankine (Gold Coast), Max Michalanney (Norwood), Billy Dowling (North Adelaide), Hugh Bond (GWV Rebels). Rookies: Tyler Brown (Collingwood, Pre-season Supplemental selection), Mark Keane (Collingwood, Pre-season Supplemental selection).

Out: Luke Brown (retired), Billy Frampton (Collingwood), Ben Davis, James Rowe, Brett Turner, Fischer McAsey.

First game players

Tyler Brown, v GWS at Sydney Showgrounds, 19/3/23 (player debut order 254)

Max Michalanney, v GWS at Sydney Showgrounds, 19/3/23 (255)

Izak Rankine, v GWS at Sydney Showgrounds, 19/3/23 (256)

Luke Nankervis, v Melbourne at the MCG, 23/7/23 (257)

Mark Keane, v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, 29/7/23 (258)

James Borlase, v Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval, 5/8/23 (259)

The 2023 squad

Back row (from left): Lachlan Murphy (4), Ned McHenry (25), Sam Berry (3), Andrew McPherson (36), Will Hamill (17), Tyler Brown (21), Lachlan Gollant (44), Jackson Hately (6), Max Michalanney (16), Lachlan Sholl (38), Chayce Jones (1). Third row: Izak Rankine (22), Harry Schoenberg (26), Luke Pedlar (10), Mitch Hinge (20), Mark Keane (48), Riley Thilthorpe (7), Reilly O’Brien (43), Kieran Strachan (45), Jordan Butts (41), Elliott Himmelberg (34), Nick Murray (28), Josh Worrell (24), Darcy Fogarty (32). Second row: Rory Laird (29), Matt Crouch (5), Shane McAdam (23), Brodie Smith (33), Jordan Dawson (captain, 12), Rory Sloane (9), Taylor Walker (13), Tom Doedee (39), Ben Keays (2), Wayne Milera (30). Front row: Hugh Bond (40), Billy Dowling (31), Zac Taylor (19), Jake Soligo (14), Josh Rachele (8), Patrick Parnell (37), Luke Nankervis (27), Tariek Newchurch (42), Brayden Cook (15).

2023 Jumpers

Adelaide unveiled a limited-edition guernsey for the AFL’s new Gather Round against Carlton at Adelaide Oval, showcasing a retro version of the Crows logo. It was also worn against Brisbane in round 22. The 2023 Indigenous Crows guernsey style, used by the AFL, AFLW and SANFL teams, was designed by Anmatyerr educator and artist April Napangardi Campbell from the Ti Tree community in the Northern Territory. Campbell is AFLW premiership player Danielle Ponter’s aunty. It was worn twice in the AFL, in rounds 10 and 11.

Nick Murray, Rory Sloane and Brodie Smith in the main guernsey; Izak Rankine in away clash jumper; Luke Pedlar wearing the Indigenous guernsey; Gather Round guernsey worn by Wayne Milera and Jordan Dawson.