Best 22
B: Daniel Talia, Ben Rutten, Luke Brown
HB: Brodie Smith, Sam Shaw, Brent Reilly
C: Bernie Vince, Scott Thompson, David Mackay
HF: Rory Sloane, Taylor Walker, Richard Douglas
F: Jason Porplyzia, Josh Jenkins, Jared Petrenko
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Patrick Dangerfield, Nathan van Berlo
I/C: Graham Johncock, Matthew Wright, Ricky Henderson, Brad Crouch
Sub: Brodie Martin
Injury list
It's been close to a perfect summer at West Lakes. Brodie Smith will miss another three or four weeks as he recovers from a broken collarbone, but he's the only injury concern on the eve of the season.
The big questions
-The obvious question is, how will Kurt Tippett's defection to the Sydney Swans affect the club's forward line? NAB Cup form suggests it has lost some of the spark it had last year.
-Adelaide is no longer a surprise packet, so how will it handle increased attention from opposition sides as well as expectation from fans?
-The loss of Tippett could also hurt the Crows in the ruck. Who will step up to support Sam Jacobs?
Summer standout
After breaking out in 2012, there will obviously be far more attention on Taylor Walker this year. The star forward has bulked up over the summer while also improving his running capacity and with Tippett out of the picture, Brenton Sanderson would want more output from the 22-year-old. A genuine Coleman Medal chance.
Fantasy cash cow
After Adelaide's outstanding season in 2012, few players have managed to sneak under the Fantasy radar in 2013. Wonder kid Brad Crouch is great value at $108,500 though and ought to get significant game time this season. He's a superb user of the football and, having spent a season in the SANFL, he knows how to win it against men.
Sudden impact
Angus Graham was traded to Adelaide from Richmond late last year and at 201cm and 106kg, immediately impressed with his physical size. He's worked hard on his running over the summer and, should Sanderson decide to play two primary ruck men instead of a ruck/forward combination, Graham will be the man thrust into the spotlight.
It's crunch time for...
... Richard Tambling. He was solid last year, winning Sturt's best and fairest in the SANFL and has enjoyed a good pre-season, but the former Tiger needs to show more this season - especially as he is falling out of contract at the end of the year.
Pivotal match
Adelaide faces Richmond at the MCG in round 12; the end of a treacherous stretch against two other sides expected to improve significantly in 2013 in North Melbourne and Fremantle. There's a lot of hype surrounding the Tigers in 2013 and, right before their bye, the Crows would get a huge confidence boost knocking them off at the MCG.
The Crows will have a good year if…
… its forward line fires. With an elite midfield and an impressive, developing back line, Adelaide needs its attack to stay strong. Taylor Walker is the focal point, but in the absence of Tippett he'll receive far more attention. When he's down, tall targets in Josh Jenkins or Shaun McKernan will need to contribute.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: Seventh
