2nds 2026 Adelaide Crows SANFL thread

[Mutineer]

Dude averaged 18 possies as at AFL level in 7 or 9 games whatever it was as a half forward. AFL level. He's not gonna be a number 1 or 2 mid, but he sure as hell showed more than Chase Jones, Lachie Murphy, Pedlar this year, Keays this year, any of Taylors games except maybe last week and I think Taylor has talent. Good overhead, good kick, excellent tackler, good IQ makes up for his ok speed.
Hell he could take a centre bounce once a quarter. Play on a wing forward line versatile.
I'm not asking him to replace Dawson or Soligo or Rachelle as a number one mid, but he should be playing AFL in front of a few of our Blokes. I'd have him over Cumming ATM too.

One big problem there all the players you named haven't hardly played any AFL midfield and most certainly not in recent times.

Peatling came in to our midfield probably ended Dowling getting a crack in the midfield last year and Curtin also moving into the midfield wouldn't have helped either.

I'm not against Dowling having another crack in the midfield at AFL level by the way, personally I just don't see him as being a long term best 23 AFL midfielder into the future. JMO,others are entitled to have differing opinions. As I've always maintained I think Dowling's best chance at having an AFL best 23 career is as a winger/HHF, perhaps revisit a Tom Lynch connector role even.

Sam Berry's much improved 2026 midfield form probably keeping Dowling from getting a crack in the midfield currently.

 

[whitey_1975]

One big problem there all the players you named haven't hardly played any AFL midfield and most certainly not in recent times.

Peatling came in to our midfield probably ended Dowling getting a crack in the midfield last year and Curtin also moving into the midfield wouldn't have helped either.

I'm not against Dowling having another crack in the midfield at AFL level by the way, personally I just don't see him as being a long term best 23 AFL midfielder into the future. JMO,others are entitled to have differing opinions. As I've always maintained I think Dowling's best chance at having an AFL best 23 career is as a winger/HHF, perhaps revisit a Tom Lynch connector role even.

Yep he's good enough to play and a wing/ half forward is where I think his place is at AFL level.
He would make a great role player who rarely has trouble finding the ball and executes well and can run n tackle all day long

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Reading the above link, I think you have the context wrong.

"He didn't expect to debut Dowling this year." Is not the same as...... "He WON"T debut Dowling this year".
It has a totally different meaning I would have thought.

No, he was in an extremely defensive mood during this period. Snapping back.

Around this time he also said critics/fans mustn't have been watching the SANFL if they're calling for <reserves player> to come in

 

[George CantStandYa]

No, he was in an extremely defensive mood during this period. Snapping back.

Around this time he also said critics/fans mustn't have been watching the SANFL if they're calling for <reserves player> to come in

What Nicks actually meant was “look I rate Dowling, but we think in 2025 he’s going to be ready. It has nothing to do with me rating Neddy and Murphy more, they’ve got runs on the board and have a long term future at the club”

Oh wait…..

 

[Rory Walkerfield]

I'm no Nicks fan, but it's called managing fan expectations. And he did play a few games that year. It really isn't that deep.

have you watched the relevant press conference?

Those of us that did all walked away with the same conclusion.

Until you’ve watched it your opinion is irrelevant

 

[George CantStandYa]

have you watched the relevant press conference?

Those of us that did all walked away with the same conclusion.

Until you’ve watched it your opinion is irrelevant

It’s a nuts opinion, managing fans expectations? Why hasn’t another coach rolled this line out then?

He got games because of injuries. How many games in 2025?

It’s clear he’s not rated by Nicks and he slipped up in that press conference, posters trying to suggest otherwise is laughable

 

[hugecannon]

One big problem there all the players you named haven't hardly played any AFL midfield and most certainly not in recent times.

Peatling came in to our midfield probably ended Dowling getting a crack in the midfield last year and Curtin also moving into the midfield wouldn't have helped either.

I'm not against Dowling having another crack in the midfield at AFL level by the way, personally I just don't see him as being a long term best 23 AFL midfielder into the future. JMO,others are entitled to have differing opinions. As I've always maintained I think Dowling's best chance at having an AFL best 23 career is as a winger/HHF, perhaps revisit a Tom Lynch connector role even.

Sam Berry's much improved 2026 midfield form probably keeping Dowling from getting a crack in the midfield currently.

I said at the time the recruitment of ANB would be an issue for Dowling as he’s playing the role that suits him best IMO.

Potentially he could be playing Dowling on the wing especially if they move Cook or Cumming to HB, but I think he's a bit of a tweener as a mid because he doesn’t have quite the pace off the mark or the strength to be a full time CBA mid.

 

[crows dude]

I said at the time the recruitment of ANB would be an issue for Dowling as he’s playing the role that suits him best IMO.

Potentially he could be playing Dowling on the wing especially if they move Cook or Cumming to HB, but I think he's a bit of a tweener as a mid because he doesn’t have quite the pace off the mark or the strength to be a full time CBA mid.

ANB has been playing HF. Dowlings best position is inside mid.

 

[hugecannon]

ANB has been playing HF. Dowlings best position is inside mid.

Agree to disagree, at SANFL level he can get away with it, at AFL level he should be playing wing/hf IMO.

 

[Mutineer]

I said at the time the recruitment of ANB would be an issue for Dowling as he’s playing the role that suits him best IMO.

Potentially he could be playing Dowling on the wing especially if they move Cook or Cumming to HB, but I think he's a bit of a tweener as a mid because he doesn’t have quite the pace off the mark or the strength to be a full time CBA mid.

No arguments from me on that score

 

[Mutineer]

ANB has been playing HF. Dowlings best position is inside mid.

At SANFL, not AFL, lacks the core strength over the ball not quick and agile enough to become a best 23 AFL midfielder IMO.

 

[Cromulant]

ANB has been playing HF. Dowlings best position is inside mid.

Nope

 

[Syd Crow]

No, he was in an extremely defensive mood during this period. Snapping back.

Around this time he also said critics/fans mustn't have been watching the SANFL if they're calling for <reserves player> to come in

Critics/fans were watching both AFL and SANFL and that's why we wanted Nicks to go!

 

[Huntercrow]

No, he was in an extremely defensive mood during this period. Snapping back.

Around this time he also said critics/fans mustn't have been watching the SANFL if they're calling for <reserves player> to come in

From what I understand, he did not say Dowling wouldn't be selected, the fact that Dowling played 9 games attests to that.
If he was defensive and snappy. that's a different issue,. It has nothing to do with the Dowling discussion.

 

[Daniel6]

Using AI, this is the conclusion I came to…

 

[George CantStandYa]

From what I understand, he did not say Dowling wouldn't be selected, the fact that Dowling played 9 games attests to that.
If he was defensive and snappy. that's a different issue,. It has nothing to do with the Dowling discussion.

Look, perhaps you can give an explanation as to why a coach would publicly say in April, a player in his second year would be unlikely to play the whole year. Now a reporter isn’t going to just ask about Dowling if he wasn’t playing well.

Yes he played 9 games, how many as sub and what was our injury count in 2024?

How many games did Dowling play in 2025?

Had Nicks selected McHenry and Murphy ahead of Dowling and have they both been subsequently delisted?

Have you ever heard of another coach saying something similar about a player?

The only deduction you can have is he doesn’t rate Dowling, that’s why it slipped out. He subsequently played games that year because of injury and Dowling’s form, not because Nicks likes him as a player.

 

[Huntercrow]

Look, perhaps you can give an explanation as to why a coach would publicly say in April, a player in his second year would be unlikely to play the whole year. Now a reporter isn’t going to just ask about Dowling if he wasn’t playing well.

Yes he played 9 games, how many as sub and what was our injury count in 2024?

How many games did Dowling play in 2025?

Had Nicks selected McHenry and Murphy ahead of Dowling and have they both been subsequently delisted?

Have you ever heard of another coach saying something similar about a player?

The only deduction you can have is he doesn’t rate Dowling, that’s why it slipped out. He subsequently played games that year because of injury and Dowling’s form, not because Nicks likes him as a player.

If I had to guess, he wanted to send Dowling a message. Perhaps at the time Nicks did not rate his form or effort, but like I said that is based on a guess. Perhaps the message hit home and the reason Dowling was eventually selected.

 

[George CantStandYa]

If I had to guess, he wanted to send Dowling a message. Perhaps at the time Nicks did not rate his form or effort, but like I said that is based on a guess. Perhaps the message hit home and the reason Dowling was eventually selected.

lol, Dowling started the year very well. Had 34 touches against South, which I dare say led to the question being asked.

Are you ignoring the high injury count in 2024 which led to opportunities? Are you ignoring he played 1 game as sub in 2025?

Are you ignoring Nicks preferred Murphy last year who was delisted?

Don’t you believe coaches have players they don’t rate?

Come on mate, use your commonsense, clearly Nicks had no intention of playing Dowling but a spot opened up due to injuries. Low injuries in 2025, 1 sub game.

 

[CromradeCromulent]

It’s a nuts opinion, managing fans expectations? Why hasn’t another coach rolled this line out then?

He got games because of injuries. How many games in 2025?

It’s clear he’s not rated by Nicks and he slipped up in that press conference, posters trying to suggest otherwise is laughable

I see you haven't lost your narcissism. "If you disagree with me you must not have watched the press confrence and/or you're insane!" or... just maybe... I came to a different conclusion.

You're so rabidly anti-Nicks you'll assign the most negative interpretation to whatever he says, that's all this is.

Like Dowling is at best what? A pretty good roll player? And sorry but he still has stuff he can work on now, let alone back then. His kick is just okay, some of his disposals are wasteful and he missed an important goal. He's good. Not great.

And as I said, I'm no Nicks fan. Dowling and Edwards should both have played more games than they have and Murphy and Smith played many they shouldn't of. Doesn't mean he's some nefarious bogeyman who's every decision is stupid and/or spiteful.

 

[CromradeCromulent]

Look, perhaps you can give an explanation as to why a coach would publicly say in April, a player in his second year would be unlikely to play the whole year. Now a reporter isn’t going to just ask about Dowling if he wasn’t playing well.

Yes he played 9 games, how many as sub and what was our injury count in 2024?

How many games did Dowling play in 2025?

Had Nicks selected McHenry and Murphy ahead of Dowling and have they both been subsequently delisted?

Have you ever heard of another coach saying something similar about a player?

The only deduction you can have is he doesn’t rate Dowling, that’s why it slipped out. He subsequently played games that year because of injury and Dowling’s form, not because Nicks likes him as a player.

I don't sit around listening to random press confrences of other clubs, but... do coaches say something like this sometimes? Probably?

Not something anybody can prove either way regardless.

 

[George CantStandYa]

I don't sit around listening to random press confrences of other clubs, but... do coaches say something like this sometimes? Probably?

Not something anybody can prove either way regardless.

So you’re another one who hasn’t heard of it either

 

[George CantStandYa]

I see you haven't lost your narcissism. "If you disagree with me you must not have watched the press confrence and/or you're insane!" or... just maybe... I came to a different conclusion.

You're so rabidly anti-Nicks you'll assign the most negative interpretation to whatever he says, that's all this is.

Like Dowling is at best what? A pretty good roll player? And sorry but he still has stuff he can work on now, let alone back then. His kick is just okay, some of his disposals are wasteful and he missed an important goal. He's good. Not great.

And as I said, I'm no Nicks fan. Dowling and Edwards should both have played more games than they have and Murphy and Smith played many they shouldn't have. Doesn't mean he's some nefarious bogeyman who's every decision is stupid and/or spiteful.

Narcissism is questioning posters opinions, right… you just questioned mine, narcissist!

You’ve just rolled out an explanation as to why Nicks doesn’t rate him and said what he said without even knowing it, he had no intention of playing him, doesn’t rate him, stupidly preferred others, you missed McHenry, so he let slip his opinion because he’s an idiot.

 

[Mutineer]

Crows play WWT on Thursday night so I guess with the AFL team plying Friday a couple of players will be held out further weakening the SANFL squad.

Round 2 Hostplus SANFL League Match Previews - SANFL

sanfl.com.au

League - Round 2 2026
Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Thursday 2nd April, 8:10pm

Woodville-West Torrens​

—

Adelaide​

—
Upcoming
Quite a bit has changed since these sides’ most recent clash, in Round 12 last year. For those whose memory is slipping, the Crows won by 100 points at Adelaide Oval.

But it feels like this result was just about a lifetime ago. The Eagles had been hammered by an injury list coach Sam Jacobs

10

Sam Jacobs

Age

37

Ht

200cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.3

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

6.1

4star

CL

2.3

4star

HO

32.8

5star

D

6.5

1star

K

4.3

2star

HB

2.3

2star

CL

3.3

4star

HO

27.5

5star

D

8.0

2star

K

2.0

1star

HB

6.0

4star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

15.0

5star

had not seen the likes of in 20 years of high-level footy.

And the Crows were flying high – in a run of eight wins from nine games and regularly kicking whopping scores.

The Eagles were always going to be way better this season after tweaks to pre-season training and strength and conditioning, snaring a few quality targeted recruits and having improved depth after some youngsters were thrown into it earlier than might have been expected last year.

The Crows, on the other hand, lost skipper Jack Madgen

44

Jack Madgen

Age

32

Ht

192cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.8

3star

K

6.2

2star

HB

5.6

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

1.5

3star

MG

154.4

2star

D

7.5

2star

K

5.5

2star

HB

2.0

1star

M

3.5

3star

T

1.0

2star

MG

79.0

1star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.2

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

2.6

3star

T

1.4

4star

MG

172.8

3star

, Harry Schoenberg, Lachlan Murphy

4

Lachlan Murphy

Age

27

Ht

178cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

5.8

2star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.4

5star

G

0.9

4star

D

8.8

2star

K

4.8

2star

HB

4.0

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.2

4star

G

0.7

4star

D

9.0

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.6

5star

G

1.0

4star

, Brodie Smith

33

Brodie Smith

Age

34

Ht

194cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.5

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

7.2

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.1

4star

MG

500.1

5star

D

17.1

4star

K

12.6

5star

HB

4.5

3star

M

3.5

3star

T

2.3

3star

MG

438.9

5star

D

17.2

5star

K

10.8

4star

HB

6.4

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.6

5star

, Matt Crouch

5

Matt Crouch

Age

30

Ht

181cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

28.4

5star

K

12.0

4star

HB

16.4

5star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.9

5star

CL

4.8

5star

D

24.9

5star

K

9.7

4star

HB

15.1

5star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.4

3star

CL

4.4

5star

D

21.2

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

10.8

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

3.4

5star

CL

2.0

4star

and, most notably, Chris Burgess

21

Chris Burgess

Age

30

Ht

193cm

Wt

97kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.2

2star

K

3.9

2star

HB

4.3

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.3

3star

No current season stats available

D

6.6

2star

K

3.8

2star

HB

2.8

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.4

4star

G

0.4

3star

.

While the Eagles kicked off this season with an impressive 52-point win against South at Noarlunga, Adelaide was beaten by last year’s wooden spooner West by seven points.

Eagles recruits Ethan Grace (31 disposals), Harper Montgomery (25) and Ted Clohesy (24 touches and a goal) provided sudden impact, while Max Beattie and Sam Nicholls bagged nine goals between them.

They are a totally different proposition now.

 

[Cromulant]

Hinge and Turray back in the 2s.

Dowling not.

 

[Cromulant]

Nank also in the 2s