5 reasons why Adelaide supporters should be excited for 2025

The Adelaide Crows were being tipped by many to play finals in 2024 after a near miss the season prior.

But they underdelivered under Matthew Nicks this year, regressing to just 8.5 wins and a 15th-placed finish.

The 2025 season promises so much for the Crows and Cam Luke has identified five reasons why fans should be excited for what’s ahead.

1 - Players choosing to join the Crows

“I’m excited about Adelaide,” Luke said on AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Mornings.

“The perception is that they probably haven't quite nailed their drafts in recent years, but geez, they've recruited well.

“Isaac Cumming has chosen them, James Peatling had about 15 clubs after him, he chose the Crows. The last couple of years they've got Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine, they've got Alex Neal-Bullen coming in as well.

“They have recruited very, very well and it's time now for these players in this list to go to the next level.”

2 - Rankine to become goal-kicking midfielder

“If Izak Rankine is able to continually do what he's been able to show us, this could be anything.

“What I do like about it is, and what I like most about Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty, Josh Rachele and about Ben Keys inside 50, their forward line does not need Izak Rankine to be their guy inside 50.

“He can be a midfielder who goes forward and kicks goals.

“The reason that he had to play predominantly forward earlier in the year because they didn't have Thilthorpe, they didn't have the guy who had the great pre-season and changed their fortunes for the better when he came in.

“So Rankine can now go into the middle and all of a sudden their midfield starts looking a hell of a lot better.

“You've got Dawson there, you got Rankine, Peatling and Cumming can roll on through. Jake Soligo had a really good year.

“It means that Izak Rankine is more of a mid-forward rather than a forward-mid.”

3 - They play well away from Adelaide

“They actually handle playing away from Adelaide fairly well.

“Now, I'm not saying that means they go on the road all the time and win, and in particular two years ago, they let a couple of these close games on the road go that they should have won.

“But the MCG doesn't really seem to scare them, Marvel Stadium sure as hell does not scare them.

“They handle playing away from home nicely, which I do like.”

4 - Veterans Walker, Laird and Smith will become depth players

“Taylor Walker, Rory Laird and Brodie Smith are all still going to be there next year.

“But they're depth players now. Those conversations around those type of players, they're going to be around the football club, they're going to offer their expertise and their veteran leadership.

“They will play football, but they're no longer needing Tex Walker to kick 60 goals. They don't need Rory Laird to be the star. They don't need Brodie Smith to get it 35 times.

“When clubs actually have some success, they need these type of players to still be there and add to the depth but not be the superstars.

“I think that's where those three gentlemen are at the Adelaide Crows next year.”

5 - They get an easier fixture

“They are going to get a relatively easy fixture after finishing bottom four.

“They are the team in my mind that can catapult very quickly on the back of a disappointing 2024.

“It wouldn't stun me in the slightest if they won a final in 12 months' time.

“It’s time for the Adelaide Crows. If you’re a Crows fan, let's do it.”