ADELAIDE came into the 2022 AFL Draft with a father-son gun front of mind, but with the capacity to get involved down the order via trading. The Crows did so, acquiring a trio of fresh faces in the National Draft before re-listing an experienced pair as rookies. In the first of our draft recaps, we cast an eye over the players Adelaide has brought in, and what they may offer.

NATIONAL DRAFT

#17 Max Michalanney (Tall Defender, Norwood/South Australia)
#43 Billy Dowling (Midfielder, North Adelaide/South Australia)
#50 Hugh Bond (Inside Midfielder/Defender, GWV Rebels/Vic Country)

ROOKIE DRAFT

Andrew McPherson (re-listed)
Paul Seedsman (re-listed)

Though they perhaps would not have liked to, Adelaide was made to get involved on night one when Sydney submitted a bid on father-son nominee Max Michalanney. Coming at the steep price of pick 17, the Crows took little time to match and welcome the Norwood defender.

Michalanney, the son of Redlegs champion Jim, is a reliable medium-tall talent with senior SANFL experience under his belt. He’s a role oriented, team first player who can lock down on dangerous forwards, but is beginning to develop a rebounding game.

Night two saw Adelaide get on the phones and shake hands on a couple of live trades. The first deal was done with Gold Coast, who the Crows swapped second and third round picks with, obtaining pick 43 in the process and coughing up 79.

With the acquired selection, Billy Dowling‘s name was called out and the hard running midfielder became a Crow. Having produced big numbers during this year’s SANFL Under 18 season, the 187cm accumulator is very much an Adelaide type of selection.

The same can be said for Hugh Bond, who was brought in with pick 50. That selection came at the cost of a future third rounder, which was sent to Brisbane. A talented athlete, Bond offers a hard edge going both ways and can play both through midfield or as a tough one-on-one defender.

A relatively busy National Draft was followed by a comparatively more quiet and straightforward rookie intake. The Crows opted to re-list Andrew McPherson and Paul Seedsman, but could not find room to give mature-age mid-season draftee Brett Turner another shot.

With all said and done, Adelaide drafted a small but solid crop and can continue its push up the ladder with players who will consistently compete. The decision not to nominate NGA product Isaac Keeler, who was taken one pick after Dowling, was a blunder, though it seems the Crows simply didn’t rate him.