ADELAIDE
ADELAIDE has decided the futures of much of its playing list. But unlike crosstown rival Port Adelaide it will not publicly declare its hand until after trade week, which runs from October 13 to 17.
Up to 10 Adelaide players are under pressure to retain their positions on the club's list. Daniel Schell, Marsh, Andrew Crowell, Ben Nelson and Matthew Smith played just seven games between them for the season.
At least three of them would have run out of chances. On the exchange front, midfielders Michael Doughty and James Gallagher and long-kicking utility Martin Mattner loom as good trade bait.
Draft Picks
14, 29, 45, 61, 77, 93, 109, 125
Unsigned Players
None
Delisted
None
Retired
Mark Bickley
Needs
Strong ruckman
Matthew Clarke, Rhett Biglands and Ben Marsh have formed the Adelaide ruck battery for the past four seasons. While Clarke and Biglands have chalked up big numbers in hit-outs, they have been repeatedly challenged to be more influential in field play. Marsh's career has waned after promising so much in 1998. Adelaide's current list offers no option.
Tall defenders
Adelaide has established Ken McGregor, 22, as its best key defender at centre half-back. It will keep Nigel Smart for another season. It has concerns with Nathan Bassett being exploited by opposition tactics catching him on his slow turn. Ben Hart is its most complete defender. But the Crows need one, perhaps two, new defenders - one who can play on tall and strong forwards such as Brisbane full forward Alastair Lynch and one who can contain opportunist forwards such as Nathan Brown, Stephen Milne and Phil Matera. Adelaide's current list offers Ben Rutten and Aidan Parker to develop.
Gun forward
Adelaide may never know just what its best attack - so often challenged by injury this season - was capable of with Wayne Carey, Mark Stevens, Ian Perrie, Ronnie Burns, Scott Welsh, Graham Johncock, Brett Burton and the rotating midfielders.
Carey, Stevens and Burns need to be quickly followed up by new talent. Adelaide's current list offers Trent Hentschel, a player the Crows firmly insist will be a quality tall forward.
Tough midfielder
Adelaide's midfield has long been regarded as one of the league's best - not surprising with six-time All-Australian Mark Ricciuto, dual Norm Smith Medallist Andrew McLeod, Simon Goodwin (who may be more suited to playing at half-back) and Tyson Edwards. But new blood is definitely needed - and tough blood given the retirement of former captain Mark Bickley and the move of Kane Johnson to Richmond last year. Adelaide's current list offers Jacob Schuback and Brent Reilly.
Rumours
Doughty wants to go home
ADELAIDE has decided the futures of much of its playing list. But unlike crosstown rival Port Adelaide it will not publicly declare its hand until after trade week, which runs from October 13 to 17.
Up to 10 Adelaide players are under pressure to retain their positions on the club's list. Daniel Schell, Marsh, Andrew Crowell, Ben Nelson and Matthew Smith played just seven games between them for the season.
At least three of them would have run out of chances. On the exchange front, midfielders Michael Doughty and James Gallagher and long-kicking utility Martin Mattner loom as good trade bait.
Draft Picks
14, 29, 45, 61, 77, 93, 109, 125
Unsigned Players
None
Delisted
None
Retired
Mark Bickley
Needs
Strong ruckman
Matthew Clarke, Rhett Biglands and Ben Marsh have formed the Adelaide ruck battery for the past four seasons. While Clarke and Biglands have chalked up big numbers in hit-outs, they have been repeatedly challenged to be more influential in field play. Marsh's career has waned after promising so much in 1998. Adelaide's current list offers no option.
Tall defenders
Adelaide has established Ken McGregor, 22, as its best key defender at centre half-back. It will keep Nigel Smart for another season. It has concerns with Nathan Bassett being exploited by opposition tactics catching him on his slow turn. Ben Hart is its most complete defender. But the Crows need one, perhaps two, new defenders - one who can play on tall and strong forwards such as Brisbane full forward Alastair Lynch and one who can contain opportunist forwards such as Nathan Brown, Stephen Milne and Phil Matera. Adelaide's current list offers Ben Rutten and Aidan Parker to develop.
Gun forward
Adelaide may never know just what its best attack - so often challenged by injury this season - was capable of with Wayne Carey, Mark Stevens, Ian Perrie, Ronnie Burns, Scott Welsh, Graham Johncock, Brett Burton and the rotating midfielders.
Carey, Stevens and Burns need to be quickly followed up by new talent. Adelaide's current list offers Trent Hentschel, a player the Crows firmly insist will be a quality tall forward.
Tough midfielder
Adelaide's midfield has long been regarded as one of the league's best - not surprising with six-time All-Australian Mark Ricciuto, dual Norm Smith Medallist Andrew McLeod, Simon Goodwin (who may be more suited to playing at half-back) and Tyson Edwards. But new blood is definitely needed - and tough blood given the retirement of former captain Mark Bickley and the move of Kane Johnson to Richmond last year. Adelaide's current list offers Jacob Schuback and Brent Reilly.
Rumours
Doughty wants to go home
