THIS looms as the toughest selection week in Don Pyke's time at the Crows since he took over the senior coaching role in 2016.
As club great and board member Mark Riccuito said in the aftermath of last Saturday's embarrassing 57-point Showdown smashing at the hands of Port Adelaide, the axe will be swung.
But how deep, and how severe those cuts are, remains the biggest point of intrigue.
Do you back in the players that took you to a respectable 8-6 record and believe it's just one terrible half of football, or do you make changes that point towards the future?
The biggest loss since Pyke's tenure was in round 10 last year when the Crows were thumped by 91 points against Melbourne in Alice Springs.
Don Pyke and Tex Walker after the horror loss to Port. Picture: AFL Photos
Pyke made two changes – Jordan Gallucci and Myles Poholke were omitted, replaced by Paul Seedsman and Lachlan Murphy.
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The caveat to that is the Crows had a massive injury list at the time and were limited in who they could bring into the side.
It's a different story this time.
Apart from Tom Doedee (knee), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (shin), Poholke (calf) and first-year midfielder Ned McHenry (calf), everyone is available.
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Veterans Eddie Betts, Richard Douglas and David Mackay will be under the pump to keep their spots in the side, while wingers Rory Atkins and Paul Seedsman were barely sighted in the Showdown.
Paul Seedsman was barely sighted in Adelaide's Showdown shocker. Picture: AFL Photos
Betts is averaging his lowest numbers in disposals (11.5), tackles (2.6), inside 50s (1.6) as a Crow, while his 1.7 goals per game is inflated by booting six against lowly Gold Coast.
While he’s undisputedly one of the greatest small forwards of the modern era, the 32-year-old might need a spell at the lower level to rest and regain his confidence.
Betts has gone goalless in four games this season – two each against Port Adelaide and Geelong – but his tackling pressure, a hallmark of his game, is also down.
Could Eddie Betts be set for a stint in the SANFL? Picture: AFL Photos
Young small forward Tyson Stengle – recruited from Richmond at the end of last season – deserves his chance.
Douglas and Mackay have been wonderful servants for the Crows, played 242 and 213 games respectively, but it's time to inject younger legs, like Chayce Jones and Riley Knight, to provide leg speed.
Gallucci is in doubt with concussion, which could allow athletic young forward Ben Davis another opportunity after he debuted against Geelong a fortnight ago.
Tom Lynch is a huge inclusion, providing he's passed fit, while Bryce Gibbs is worth bringing back.
Key forward Josh Jenkins was quiet against the Power, but will be better for the run so should just keep his spot ahead of Elliott Himmelberg.
Pyke has a lot to ponder this week as the Crows attempt to kickstart their season.
