Draw assessment
Adelaide is one of only two sides (North Melbourne is the other) who will play both Gold Coast and GWS twice in 2012. While they will travel over 22,000km during the season (eighth in league), it's one of the best draws going around, with not a single five-day turnaround. Their only Friday-night game comes directly after a bye in round 12 when they host St Kilda.
 
Pivotal match
A win against Geelong in round 18 would set the Crows up for a potentially devastating run to the finals. Three of their last five games are at home, against Essendon, Fremantle and Gold Coast, while the other two are against Brisbane and Melbourne and if they're full of confidence, all appear winnable.

Injury list
Adelaide couldn't be better placed ahead of the first round of the season. After a flawless preseason the Crows, barring a late hiccup, will have a full list to pick from when they face Gold Coast. A major reason why they're tipped to be big improvers in 2012.

Track specialist
Jason Porplyzia has had a terrible run of injuries over the years and missed all but a few minutes of season 2011 after dislocating his shoulder in round one. But he's now back at full fitness and has looked supremely dangerous during the NAB Cup. Coach Sanderson said 'The Porpoise' would be a huge asset if he can stay fit and his pre-season form suggests likewise.

Dream Team special
Recruit Tom Lynch has done enough this pre-season to suggest he could become a massive Dream Team enforcer in 2012. He lacked opportunity at St Kilda but since crossing the border he has impressed, particularly in the NAB Cup Grand Final when he was subbed on for the second half and racked up 69 points.

Draftee watch
At the Crows' season launch Patrick Dangerfield said country footballers are bred tough and used Sam Kerridge as an example. At 188cm and 86kg, Kerridge has the size to make an immediate impact at the top level and showed in the NAB Cup he has the nous and skill to match.

Needs a big year
It seems as though it's been like this almost from the start for Richard Tambling, but after another so-so year in 2011 he'll want to show more this season. His average of under 15 disposals a game last year was only good enough to earn him seven votes at the club best and fairest, whereas Scott Thompson won with 83 votes.

Best and fairest tip
After a dominant pre-season, reigning Malcolm Blight Medalist Scott Thompson is the obvious choice to go again, but Patrick Dangerfield will certainly be in the mix. Dangerfield has exceptional speed, can kick goals and break packs - all characteristics that lead to vote polling.

The Crows will have a good year if…
… their forward line can continue to fire. Not since Tony Modra and Matthew Robran has the Crows' attack looked this good, with Taylor Walker and Kurt Tippett combining superbly with Jason Porplyzia and Tom Lynch over the preseason. All four look capable of overpowering opposition defences on their day and together they could be unstoppable.

The big issues
Can their game plan stand up? With a new coach in Brenton Sanderson, the Crows have adopted a quicker and more exciting style, with a larger emphasis on moving the ball by foot and kicking long. So far the signs are good, very good.

How much tougher? Sanderson flagged the need for a more physical Adelaide side and the players began wrestling and boxing during the preseason. Will it show on the field?

What does the NAB Cup mean? The Crows were ultra impressive in the NAB Cup and didn't lose a single game on their way to claiming their second preseason trophy. But how much does that really mean? Are they as good as their form suggests?

Best 22
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: Brent Reilly, Daniel Talia, Brodie Smith
C: Nathan van Berlo, Rory Sloane, David Mackay
HF: Jared Petrenko, Kurt Tippett, Patrick Dangerfield
F: Jason Porplyzia, Taylor Walker, Tom Lynch
FOLL: Sam Jacobs, Bernie Vince, Scott Thompson
I/C: Ian Callinan, Matthew Jaensch, Ricky Henderson
SUB: Richard Douglas

AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 8th

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL