2024 AFL

Games Won 8.5

Ladder Position 15

Premiership position: 15th (8 wins, one draw, 14 losses)

Coach: Matthew Nicks

Captain: Jordan Dawson

Adelaide targeted a return to the finals for the first time since 2017 but went backwards in 2024, dropping to 15th place.

Four consecutive losses to start the season hit hard and although the Crows later beat four eventual finalists, they were unable to build any momentum. They finished with eight wins and a draw from 23 games, featuring a mix of last-goal wins and losses, and some lengthy fade-outs.

Adelaide played 13 games at Adelaide Oval but won only five of these games.

Sadly, Rory Sloane’s 16^th season did not start well after he suffered a serious eye injury at pre-season training. He tried to get ready to return to play but eventually announced his retirement in the week before the May 2 Showdown.

Adelaide’s longest serving Victorian draftee was a dual Crows Club Champion and three-time runner-up, Club captain and 2016 All-Australian midfielder. During his 16 seasons at the Club, Sloane played 255 AFL games and also won three Coaches’ Awards, three Members’ MVP awards, the Players Trademark award (2019) and the Dr Brian Sando Trophy in 2017 for his resilience and professionalism. He qualified for Crows Life Membership in 2018.

The main off-season departure was defender Tom Doedee, who made a free agent move to Brisbane after 82 AFL games with the Crows. Forward Shane McAdam also asked to be traded to Melbourne. The Crows later moved up three spots in the draft order to claim versatile Claremont tall Daniel Curtin with pick No 8. Adelaide also signed Irishman Karl Gallagher as a Category B rookie. The 21-year-old arrived in November after playing in the All-Ireland Gaelic football semi-final with Monaghan.

There were high hopes for the continued development of key forward Riley Thilthorpe but he had knee surgery after being hurt in a pre-season trial and was absent from the AFL side until round 18. Others to suffer long-term injuries included Wayne Milera (knee), Matt Crouch (shoulder), Josh Worrell (broken arm), Luke Pedlar (shoulder) and Patrick Parnell (shoulder) while defender Nick Murray completed his rehab from a knee reconstruction.

Adelaide’s season started in heavy rain on the Gold Coast and the Suns controlled most of the game to lead by 36 points early in the last quarter before the Crows kicked the last five goals to go down by six points. A third quarter lead against Geelong in the first home game disappeared and then Fremantle finished strongly in Perth, when a knee injury ended Milera’s season in Brodie Smith’s 250^th AFL game. Gather Round opened on a Thursday night at Adelaide Oval and the Crows continued to struggle, losing to Melbourne by 15 points.

Adelaide staged an exciting late comeback for its first win of the season, upsetting Carlton by two points at Marvel Stadium by kicking the last three goals of the game. Sub Sam Berry snapped the winner with 80 seconds left and then Mark Keane marked Carlton’s last forward entry. There was another tight game the following week against Essendon but this time the Crows fell short by three points.

After a 57-point win over North Melbourne in Hobart, a week of celebrating Sloane’s career ended with a stirring 30-point Showdown win over Port Adelaide. Jake Soligo was awarded the Showdown Medal after collecting 27 possessions, four clearances and ten tackles.

Another tense finish, against Brisbane, ended in a draw, the third in Adelaide’s history. Both teams had won only three games to this stage, but it was Brisbane which climbed the ladder by winning nine consecutive games from round 13, then winning the premiership.

Izak Rankine starred against Collingwood at the MCG in round ten with a career-high 30 disposals and gave his team the lead late in the game with a brilliant goal from the boundary. But Collingwood regained the lead and Rankine strained a hamstring in the last ten seconds as he dashed down the wing and was pinged for running too far.

A 99-point belting of West Coast was quickly forgotten when Adelaide lost to improving Hawthorn at the MCG, lowly Richmond at Adelaide Oval and then Sydney, which trailed by 23 points late in the second term but kicked ten consecutive goals to win by 42 points.

Adelaide’s fifth win for the season came after the bye, against a fast-finishing GWS. Rankine copped a four-match suspension in the away loss to Brisbane and then the Crows booted four goals to none in the last term to beat St Kilda by 32 points at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval. Thilthorpe returned as the sub and kicked two goals after being activated at the last break.

There was another thrilling win at Marvel Stadium in round 19 when Adelaide kicked the last three goals to pinch a two-point win against Essendon. Josh Rachele snapped the winner and Ben Keays was outstanding with five goals.

Hawthorn continued its charge to the top eight with a 66-point win over the Crows after booting 13 unanswered goals from early in the second quarter. Geelong came from behind late in the game at Kardinia Park to win by five points and then Adelaide upset the Western Bulldogs by 39 points, Darcy Fogarty kicking five goals in his 100^th AFL game.

Losses to Port Adelaide and ladder-leading Sydney completed the season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 23: Rory Sloane of the Crows presents Reilly O’Brien of the Crows the Jim Stynes Community Award during the 2024 Brownlow Medal at Crown Palladium on September 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 16: Sam Collins of the Suns and Darcy Fogarty of the Crows compete for the ball during the round one AFL match between Gold Coast Suns and Adelaide Crows at People First Stadium, on March 16, 2024, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 16: Josh Worrell of the Crows handball during the round one AFL match between Gold Coast Suns and Adelaide Crows at People First Stadium, on March 16, 2024, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos )

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 16: Bodhi Uwland of the Suns spoils a kick by Josh Rachele of the Crows during the round one AFL match between Gold Coast Suns and Adelaide Crows at People First Stadium, on March 16, 2024, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos )

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 16: Luke Pedlar of the Crows competes for the ball during the round one AFL match between Gold Coast Suns and Adelaide Crows at People First Stadium, on March 16, 2024, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos )

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 22: Jake Soligo of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 2 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on March 22, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 29: Brodie Smith of the Crows prepares to walk through the banner during the 2024 AFL Round 03 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium on March 29, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 29: Ben Keays of the Crows fends off Bailey Banfield of the Dockers during the 2024 AFL Round 03 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium on March 29, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 04:] Jordan Dawson of the Crows marks over Christian Salem of the Demons during the round four AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval, on April 04, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 04:] Luke Nankervis of the Crows attempts to mark over Christian Salem of the Demons during the round four AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval, on April 04, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 13: Jake Soligo of the Crows handballs whilst being tackled by Sam Walsh of the Blues during the round five AFL match between Carlton Blues and Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium, on April 13, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 13: Sam Berry of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 05 match between the Carlton Blues and the Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium on April 13, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 19: Chayce Jones of the Crows celebrates a goal during the round six AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Essendon Bombers at Adelaide Oval, on April 19, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 27: Brayden Cook of the Crows celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2024 AFL Round 07 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Adelaide Crows at Blundstone Arena on April 27, 2024 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 27: Rory Laird of Adelaide Crows disposes of the ball during the 2024 AFL Round 07 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Adelaide Crows at Blundstone Arena on April 27, 2024 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Linda Higginson/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 02: Rory Sloane of the Crows gets chaired off after announcing his retirement by Matt Crouch, Taylor Walker during the 2024 AFL Round 08 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval on May 02, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 02: Rory Sloane and Taylor Walker of the Crows after their win during the 2024 AFL Round 08 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval on May 02, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 02: Izak Rankine of the Crows celebrates a goalduring the round eight AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval, on May 02, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 02: Jake Soligo of the Crows winner of the best player in the Showdown during the 2024 AFL Round 08 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval on May 02, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 12: Darcy Fogarty of the Crows tackles Jaxon Prior of the Lions during the 2024 AFL Round 09 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval on May 12, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 12: Darcy Fogarty of the Crows marks over Jack Payne of the Lions and Taylor Walker of the Crows during the round nine AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval, on May 12, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 18: Luke Nankervis of the Crows marks in front of Mason Cox of the Magpies during the round 10 AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Kuwarna (the Adelaide Crows) at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 18, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 26: Reilly O’Brien of the Crows spoils Liam Duggan of the Eagles and Lachlan Murphy of the Crows during the round 11 AFL match between Kuwarna (the Adelaide Crows) and Waalitj Marawar (the West Coast Eagles) at Adelaide Oval, on May 26, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 01: Sam Berry of the Crows is tackled by Jack Ginnivan of the Hawks during the round 12 AFL match between Hawthorn Hawks and Adelaide Crows at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on June 01, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 06: Kieran Strachan of the Crows celebrates a goal with his team mates during the round 13 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval, on June 06, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 06: Lachlan Murphy of the Crows gets the sit and over on Tom Brown of the Tigers during the round 13 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval, on June 06, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 06: Darcy Fogarty of the Crows marks over Nathan Broad of the Tigers during the round 13 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval, on June 06, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 06: Billy Dowling of the Crows during the round 13 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval, on June 06, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 15: Jordan Dawson of the Crows celebrates a goal during the round 14 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval, on June 15, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 15: Joel Amartey of the Swans competes for a mark against Max Michalanney of the Crows during the round 14 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval, on June 15, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 15: Lachlan Sholl of the Crows during the 2024 AFL Round 14 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval on June 15, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 29: Billy Dowling of the Crows and Zac Taylor of the Crows get their first wins for the club during the 2024 AFL Round 16 match between the Adelaide Crows and the GWS GIANTS at Adelaide Oval on June 29, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 29: Elliott Himmelberg of the Crows rucks against Kieren Briggs of the Giants during the round 16 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Adelaide Oval, on June 29, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 29: Nick Murray of the Crows spoils Stephen Coniglio of the Giants during the round 16 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Adelaide Oval, on June 29, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 13: Riley Thilthorpe of the Crows celebrates a goal with team mates during the 2024 AFL Round 18 match between the Adelaide Crows and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on July 13, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 13: Crows players sing the club song after the win during the 2024 AFL Round 18 match between the Adelaide Crows and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on July 13, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 19: Billy Dowling of the Crows celebrates as Zach Merrett of the Bombers looks on during the 2024 AFL Round 19 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium on July 19, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 19: Josh Rachele of the Crows celebrates a goal with fans during the 2024 AFL Round 19 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium on July 19, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 28: Mitchell Hinge of the Crows marks the ball over Nick Watson of the Hawks during the 2024 AFL Round 20 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Hawthorn Hawks at Adelaide Oval on July 28, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 03: Riley Thilthorpe of the Crows celebrates a goal during the round 21 AFL match between Geelong Cats and Adelaide Crows at GMHBA Stadium, on August 03, 2024, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Martin Keep/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 11: Taylor Walker of the Crows marks in front of Rory Lobb of the Bulldogs and is hit high by Tim English of the Bulldogs during the round 22 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, on August 11, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 11: Daniel Curtin of the Crows celebrates a goal during the round 22 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, on August 11, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUG 17: Connor Rozee of the Power tackles Matt Crouch of the Crows during the 2024 AFL Round 23 match between the port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on August 17, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUG 17: Willie Rioli of the Power and Hugh Bond of the Crows during the 2024 AFL Round 23 match between the port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on August 17, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 24: Zac Taylor of the Crows and Nick Blakey of the Swans contest a mark during the round 24 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Adelaide Crows at Sydney Cricket Ground on August 24, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 24: Taylor Walker of the Crows takes mark ahead of Callum Mills of the Swans during the round 24 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Adelaide Crows at Sydney Cricket Ground, on August 24, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos)

Dawson and Keays made history as the first ever joint winners of Adelaide’s Club Champion award after a tight vote count went right down to the final round. It was Dawson’s second consecutive Malcolm Blight Medal after his triumph last year. And it capped a big night for Keays, who was also presented with the Members’ MVP Award and Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy for outstanding professionalism and preparation.

Midfielder Soligo capped a breakout season by finishing next on 93 votes and fellow young gun Max Michalanney (89 votes) and Fogarty (87 votes) also polled strongly. Rankine missed eight games but still finished in the top ten.

Reilly O’Brien received the Crows Foundation Community Award, which followed national recognition with the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for his role in helping deliver resilience training to thousands of school students across the state via the Open Parachute program.

O’Brien was also named the Phil Walsh Best Team Man for the third consecutive season and Soligo secured the Mark Bickley Emerging Talent award. Fogarty, who signed a long-term contract at the end of the season, won the Leading Goal Kicker Award for the first time after booting a career-high 41 goals.

Adelaide’s SANFL side recovered from a slow start to the season to stage a late charge for the final five.

The Crows needed to defeat Sturt in the last minor round but fell short to finish in sixth spot, with eight wins from 18 matches.

Ruckman Kieran Strachan won his third SANFL Club Champion award. He received 77 votes to finish ahead of development squad midfielder Jay Boyle (71) and first-year defender Oscar Ryan (65). Strachan was also selected in the Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year for the fourth time.

Coach Michael Godden shared the role with Matthew Wright while the captain was former Collingwood defender Jack Magden. Development squad recruit Toby Murray – the brother of defender Nick – showed promise and was upgraded to the Crows rookie list at the mid-season draft.

Awards and Achievements

All Australians: –

Phil Walsh Best Team Man: Reilly O’Brien

Players Trademark award: Jordan Dawson

Members MVP Award: Ben Keays

Leading goalkicker: Darcy Fogarty

Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award: Jake Soligo

Dr Brian Sando Award: Ben Keays

Adelaide Crows Foundation Community Leadership Award: Reilly O’Brien

Showdown Medal: Jake Soligo (round eight)

State League Club Champion: Kieran Strachan

Dean Bailey Award: Stephen Tahana

AFC Life Membership: TBC

Other news

The Adelaide Football Club was (in June) granted planning consent to build its new training and administration facility at Thebarton Oval. The planning approval came nearly two years after the Crows first announced that Thebarton Oval – the former home of the West Torrens Football Club – was the favoured site for the new headquarters. The project was subject to three rounds of public consultation and several redesigns.
Inaugural Crows captain, 1992 Club Champion and All-Australian, Chris McDermott, was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. McDermott played a crucial role in unifying Adelaide’s inaugural squad in 1991 and was the first Crow to play 100 AFL games for the Club. But that was after a distinguished SANFL career which included 277 games, back-to-back premierships with Glenelg in 1985-86, and three consecutive best-and-fairest awards from 1986-88.
Two-time Crows AFL Club Champion Scott Thompson was inducted into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Brodie Smith became the 11th Crow to play 250 AFL games for the Club, in round four against Fremantle.
Adelaide changed its name to Kuwarna for Sir Doug Nicholls Round against Collingwood and the following home match against West Coast. Kuwarna (pronounced goo-wun-na) is the Kaurna translation for the word Crows.
Long-serving Adelaide coach Neil Craig received Life Membership of the AFL after more than 50 years of involvement in football.
Singer, songwriter and producer Guy Sebastian was appointed as the Adelaide Football Club’s Number 1 Ticketholder. Sebastian is one of Australia’s most successful and enduring artists and is a long-time supporter of the Crows.
Reilly O’Brien claimed the 2024 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for his advocacy of mental health support in South Australian schools. The Crows ruck has been an ambassador and lead facilitator for the Open Parachute Mental Health Program since its inception in 2022.
Inaugural Crow Tom Warhurst was inducted into Norwood’s Hall of Fame. The defender played in Adelaide’s first two AFL games in 1991 before suffering a serious knee injury. He was the first Crow to wear No 44 after a successful career with the Redlegs.
South Australian Football Hall of Fame administrator and former Adelaide Football Club Board Director Wally Miller OAM died in October, aged 88. After more than three decades of extraordinary service to Norwood and the SANFL, Miller spent six years on Adelaide’s Board, starting with the 1997-98 AFL premiership seasons. He was also on the Club’s football operations committee from 1999-2002.

List changes

In: Chris Burgess (Gold Coast), Daniel Curtin (Claremont), Charlie Edwards (Sandringham U18), Oscar Ryan (Murray U18), Karl Gallagher (category B rookie, Ireland), Toby Murray (Wangaratta Rovers, mid-season draft).

Out: Tom Doedee (Brisbane), Shane McAdam (Melbourne), Jackson Hately, Tyler Brown, Andrew McPherson, Tariek Newchurch, Fischer McAsey (delisted), Paul Seedsman (retired), Rory Sloane (retired early season).

First game players

Chris Burgess, v Gold Coast at People First Stadium (Carrara), 16/3/24 (player debut number 260)

Daniel Curtin, v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, 2/5/24 (261)

Billy Dowling, v Richmond at Adelaide Oval, 6/6/24 (262)

Zac Taylor, v GWS at Adelaide Oval, 29/6/24 (263)

Hugh Bond, v St Kilda at Adelaide Oval, 13/7/24 (264)

SANFL gallery

2024 SANFL squad

Back Row: Josh Rachele, Josh Smithson, Oscar Ryan, Jay Boyle, Darcy Clifford, Karl Gallagher, Dylan Whimpress, Stephen Tahana, Hugh Bond. Middle Row: Sam Daniele, Hugh Haysman, Billy Dowling, Jarman Sigal, Jacob Templeton, Charlie Edwards, Toby Murray, Dan Curtin, Max Michalanney, Tyler Welsh, Luke Nankervis, Harry Boyle, Jay O’Leary. Front Row: Jayden Davis, Zac Taylor, Tate Coleman, Matt Wright (Coach), Jack Madgen (Captain), Michael Godden (Coach), Austin McDonald, Steve Burton, Jake Soligo.

The 2024 squad

Back row (from left): Izak Rankine (23), Sam Berry (3), Will Hamill (17), Chris Burgess (21), Lachlan Gollant (44), Daniel Curtin (6), James Borlase (35), Max Michalanney (16), Karl Gallagher (36), Lachlan Sholl (38), Billy Dowling (31), Chayce Jones (1). Third row: Ned McHenry (25), Luke Pedlar (10), Matt Crouch (5), Brayden Cook (15), Mark Keane (48), Riley Thilthorpe (7), Kieran Strachan (45), Jordan Butts (41), Elliott Himmelberg (34), Nick Murray (28), Josh Worrell (24), Harry Schoenberg (24), Rory Laird (29). Second row: Taylor Walker (13), Mitch Hinge (20), Wayne Milera (30), Brodie Smith (33), Jordan Dawson (captain, 12), Matthew Nicks (senior coach), Reilly O’Brien (43), Ben Keays (2), Darcy Fogarty (32), Lachlan Murphy (4), Rory Sloane (9). Front row: Hugh Bond (40), Zac Taylor (19), Jake Soligo (14), Josh Rachele (8), Luke Nankervis (27), Patrick Parnell (37), Oscar Ryan (22), Charlie Edwards (11).

2024 Jumpers

Adelaide wore two new jumper designs and revived an old favourite in the 2024 season. The away clash jumper was a remake of the 2008-09 away jumper, which had been a restyle of the ‘Crow head’ design worn by the club in the 1996, 1997 and 1998 pre-seasons. Adelaide wore its first commemorative Anzac guernsey in the AFL’s Anzac Day Round against North Melbourne in Hobart. The design depicts a bugler playing in front of the sun going down, which is represented by the Club’s hoops in red, orange and yellow. Included on the back of the guernsey are five red poppies, positioned to represent a wreath, and the words ‘Lest we forget’. The Indigenous guernsey was crafted by Crows star Izak Rankine who worked alongside his cousin, artist Harley Hall, in a celebration of their shared Ngarrindjeri heritage. It was worn for the first time at AFL level in the round ten clash with Collingwood at the MCG, when the Club changed its name to Kuwarna for Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Kuwarna (pronounced goo-wun-na) is the Kaurna translation for the word Crows. The main traditional hooped jumper (worn in 13 games) and Gather Round guernsey were the same as in 2023, although apparel partner O’Neills added their logo to their name below the neckline. The Gather Round jumper was worn against Melbourne in round four but also returned for the round 17 away game against Brisbane.

Ben Keays, Daniel Curtin and Darcy Fogarty in the 2024 main jumper; The Anzac Day guernsey, worn by Taylor Walker; Max Michalanney in the 2024 clash jumper; Brodie Smith wearing the Gather Round guernsey; Izak Rankine, Darcy Fogarty and Harry Schoenberg in the 2024 Indigenous guernsey.