ADELAIDE coach Phil Walsh is sticking to his no spin philosophy, declaring his list isn't yet where it needs to be to challenge for a premiership.

 

The club had one of the most potent forward lines in the League last year despite missing the finals, finishing the home and away season with the third most points behind Hawthorn and Port Adelaide.

 

Small forward Eddie Betts (51) and keys Josh Jenkins (40) and Taylor Walker (34) kicked 120 goals between them, while another eight players booted at least 10 majors for the season.

 

 

Their defence was far shakier though; eighth worst in the competition even though Daniel Talia gained All Australian selection at full-back.

 

Walsh identified the lack of experience down back as the main element missing from Adelaide's list, particularly after the departure of veteran defender Ben Rutten.

 

Brodie Smith and Talia (76 games each) are the side's most experienced 'best 22' defenders.

 

"I'm not sure we've got all the ingredients right now at the Crows, we've still got a fairly young backline … we've obviously lost a bit of experience down there with Ben Rutten's retirement," Walsh told AFL.com.au.

 

"But we've brought Kyle Cheney in from Hawthorn, we're hoping he can step up with Daniel Talia – who although he was an All Australian last year he's still a young player."

 

 

While hardly a player to bolster the backline's need for experience, Walsh hoped draftee Jake Lever would see senior football this season.

 

The 18-year-old key defender spent last year recovering from a knee reconstruction before the Crows selected him at the NAB AFL Draft with pick No.14.

 

"He's coming off an ACL, we hope he can fill into a key position down back this year, it might take him a bit of time before he settles into that," he said.

 

"It's really hard for any draftee to play senior footy first year and he's still got some work to do obviously because of the knee injury, but I won't be putting any limitations on him."