AFL Supercoach 2026: Adelaide Crows 2026 Squad Analysis


<p>After being bundled out in straight sets in 2025, the Adelaide Crows will be hoping for more success in September this season.</p>



<p>Matthew Nicks’ side won the minor premiership last year but were unable to translate that home and away dominance to September success.</p>



<p>They’ve added Brisbane Lions premiership hero<strong> Callum Ah Chee </strong>to an already stacked front half, while they also pounced on a couple of talented draftees in <strong>Mitch Marsh</strong> and <strong>Archie Ludowyke</strong> who are prospects to watch for the future.</p>



<p>Let’s take a look at the Crows’ SuperCoach prospects for the upcoming season.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Predicted Round 1 starting team</strong></h3>



<p><strong>FB:</strong> Max Michalanney, Mark Keane, Josh Worrell</p>



<p><strong>HB: </strong>Mitch Hinge, Nick Murray, Wayne Milera</p>



<p><strong>C:</strong> Isaac Cumming, Jordan Dawson, James Peatling</p>



<p><strong>HF: </strong>Ben Keays, Darcy Fogarty, Alex Neal-Bullen</p>



<p><strong>FF: </strong>Callum Ah Chee, Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker</p>



<p><strong>FOLL:</strong> Reilly O’Brien, Jake Soligo, Josh Rachele</p>



<p><strong>I/C: </strong>Rory Laird, Sam Berry, Hugh Bond, Luke Nankervis, Sid Draper</p>



<p><strong>Izak Rankine</strong> will miss round one through suspension, while <strong>Dan Curtin</strong> has suffered a knee injury and won’t feature in the first six or so weeks. </p>



<p>Talented youngster <strong>Sid Draper</strong> has had an interrupted pre-season due to injury and may not make it for round one, which could see the likes of Zac Taylor, Brayden Cook or Billy Dowling come in. </p>



<p>There are several others on the fringes at the Crows who will be looking to become best 23 mainstays in 2026.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fixtures</strong></h3>



<p>Round 1: Collingwood (A)</p>



<p>Round 2: Western Bulldogs (H)</p>



<p>Round 3: Geelong (A)</p>



<p>Round 4: Fremantle (H)</p>



<p>Round 5: Carlton (H)</p>



<p>Byes: Round 12</p>



<p><strong>Verdict:</strong> After finishing as reigning premiers in 2025, the Crows have a much tougher draw this season. </p>



<p>They do have a nice block against Carlton, St Kilda, Brisbane, Port Adelaide, Richmond and North Melbourne between rounds 5 and 10 however. </p>



<p>They share a bye with the Suns, Power and Kangaroos in round 12, who all have plenty of SuperCoach relevant players.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LOCK</strong></h3>



<p>For what it’s worth, I don’t think the Crows are very SuperCoach relevant in 2026. Perhaps the best prospect is captain <strong>Jordan Dawson</strong> <strong>($611,300 MID)</strong> though, who averaged 113 points per game last season. </p>



<p>The Adelaide skipper posted eight scores of 120+ last year and had just three sub tons from round 10 onwards with a low score of 88. Dawson certainly ranks in the competition’s elite and the Crows will need maximum impact from their leader if they’re to be contenders again this season. </p>



<p>He’s currently in less than seven per cent of teams at the time of writing so would be a nice point of difference. </p>



<p>Elsewhere, <strong>Izak Rankine ($539,400 MID/FWD)</strong> looms as one of the best forward options this year, but won’t feature in many starting sides given that round one ban. </p>



<p>Rankine will be eyeing off more midfield minutes at the Crows this year and should push that 100 average, which makes him an appealing forward pick. </p>



<p>If you had a cheapie pop off on the bench in round one, there is a world where you could bring Rankine in but I think he’s more likely an upgrade option.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>POINT OF DIFFERENCE</strong></h3>



<p>The word out of West Lakes this year is that <strong>Josh Rachele ($369,600 FWD)</strong> has been tearing up the track over summer and looks set for an increased midfield role in 2026. </p>



<p>Rachele’s pace and burst will add another dimension to Adelaide’s midfield mix and also increase his SuperCoach scoring potential. </p>



<p>It would take a brave SuperCoach coach to start him, but at that price with an ownership of less than 2 per cent at the time of writing, it’s worth tracking his role during practice matches.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CHEAPIES</strong></h3>



<p><strong>Sid Draper ($126,100 MID/FWD)</strong> is probably the most promising of Adelaide’s cheapies this year, but I have doubts over his place in the side for round one. </p>



<p>A talented junior, Draper has been on light duties over summer due to a groin problem. </p>



<p>The former pick 4 played ten matches last season but was often the sub or subbed out, meaning he is still at an affordable price in 2026. </p>



<p>He’s in a lot of pre-season teams as it stands, but I get the feeling he’ll more likely be a downgrade option given the Crows look set to ease him into the season.</p>



<p>If he looks like playing good minutes early though, you’d probably want to jump on.</p>


AFL Supercoach 2026: Adelaide Crows Squad Analysis

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