ADELAIDE is running on old legs, but the Crows don't have young talent banging down the door for senior selection.

The Crows fielded the oldest team in the competition in last weekend's 21-point loss to Essendon at Adelaide Oval, even with over-30s Richard Douglas, Bryce Gibbs, Sam Jacobs and Andy Otten in the reserves.

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The Crows had an average age of 26.23 years.

Josh Jenkins celebrates a goal against the Bombers. Picture: AFL Photos

Only three players – ruckman Reilly O'Brien (23), midfielder/forward Wayne Milera (21) and small forward Lachlan Murphy (20) – were 23 or under.

The Crows have been creative in topping up their list in recent years, with the addition of mature-age Category B rookies Hugh Greenwood, 27 and Alex Keath, 27 at the end of 2015.

Moves like that, along with a settled line-up – 15 of the side that played the Bombers also played for coach Don Pyke in his first game in charge in round one, 2016 against North Melbourne – has meant there's been limited opportunities for newcomers.

The Crows have had only four NAB AFL Rising Star nominations since 2015 – Charlie Cameron (now at Brisbane), Jake Lever (now at Melbourne), Wayne Milera and Tom Doedee (out for the year with a torn ACL).

That's the equal-lowest alongside Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

Tom Doedee has become a vital part of Adelaide's backline. Picture: AFL Photos

The Crows have had six first-round selections in that time.

Milera (11th overall, 2015) and Doedee (17th overall, 2015) are hits.

Midfielder/forward Jordan Gallucci – the 15th overall pick in 2016 – has played 10 senior games this year and was axed after the round 16 Showdown loss to Port Adelaide.

Jordan Gallucci gets his head in the game ahead of the R15 game against Geelong. Picture: AFL Photos

Darcy Fogarty is the most intriguing.

After 10 senior games last year, Fogarty – the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft – was tried as a defender in the SANFL before returning to the forward line, where he has averaged 13.7 disposals, 5.3 marks and a goal in his past three SANFL games.

Darcy Fogarty in action against GWS during the pre-season. Picture: AFL Photos

Last year's No.9 overall pick Chayce Jones was a revelation during the JLT Community Series.

He played six games as a small forward, but has struggled in recent weeks, picking up just seven disposals against North Adelaide in the SANFL on the weekend.

Fellow first-round selection Ned McHenry (No. 16 overall) – who is sidelined with a back injury – has looked lively in the SANFL, but needs to add size before he makes the leap to the senior ranks.

Elliott Himmelberg (pick No.51, 2016 draft), Tyson Stengle (No.6, 2017 rookie draft by Richmond) and Ben Davis (No.75, 2016 draft) have had a taste of senior football.

First-year defenders Will Hamill (No.30 overall), Lachlan Sholl (No.64 overall) and Jordon Butts (No.39 in the rookie draft) have signed contract extensions, but the trio are long-term prospects.

The Crows won't – and shouldn't – experiment while they're in the finals mix, especially when the best players in their SANFL team were veterans Sam Jacobs and Andy Otten, along with mature-age midfielder Patrick Wilson, who is stuck behind the Crouch brothers and Rory Sloane.

Receiving Carlton's pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft, currently No.3, will be a major boost to a club in need of replenishing its young talent.

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Adelaide's last five draft hauls

2014
Jake Lever (pick 14), Harrison Wigg (pick 35), Mitch McGovern (pick 43), Harry Dear (pick 58), Reilly O'Brien (pick nine, rookie draft), Keenan Ramsey (pick 27, rookie draft), Anthony Wilson (pick 44, rookie draft).

2015
Wayne Milera (pick 11), Tom Doedee (pick 17), Paul Hunter (pick 13, rookie draft), Jonathon Beech (pick 31, rookie draft), Hugh Greenwood (pick 48, rookie draft, Cat B), Alex Keath (pick 58, rookie draft, Cat B).

2016
Jordan Gallucci (pick 15), Myles Poholke (pick 44), Elliott Himmelberg (pick 51), Matt Signorello (pick 62), Ben Davis (pick 75), Sam Shaw (pick 13, rookie, retired), Ben Jarman (pick 45, father/son)

2017
Darcy Fogarty (pick 12), Andrew McPherson (pick 40), Patrick Wilson (pick 17, rookie), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (pick 31, rookie, re-contracted), Lachlan Murphy (pick 38, rookie), Jackson Edwards (pick 41, rookie, father/son)

2018
Chayce Jones (pick nine), Ned McHenry (pick 16), Will Hamill (pick 30), Lachlan Sholl (pick 64), Kieran Strachan (pick seven, rookie), Paul Hunter (pick 24, rookie, re-contracted), Jordon Butts (pick 39, rookie)

* Bolded players remain at the club

Adelaide's 2018 first-round draft picks Ned McHenry and Chayce Jones. Picture: AFL Photos

NAB AFL Rising Star nominees since 2015

2015: Charlie Cameron (round 13), Jake Lever (round 17)
2016: None
2017: Wayne Milera (round 10)
2018: Tom Doedee (round two)
2019: None

Rising Star nominees by club since 2015

9 - Carlton, Richmond
8 - Geelong, Sydney
7 - Western Bulldogs
6 - Melbourne, Port Adelaide
5 - Brisbane, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, St Kilda, West Coast
4 - Adelaide, Gold Coast, GWS

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