Adelaide Crows emerge as unexpected AFL premiership contenders

The Adelaide Crows are seeing a big change this season. Just a year ago, their midfield was criticized as being "not good enough." Now, it’s a different story. The team has scored an impressive 296 points in their first two games of the 2025 season, winning both by more than 10 goals. Much of this success is thanks to their strong forward line, which includes players like Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty, and Taylor Walker, along with small forwards like Ben Keays and Josh Rachele. However, questions remained about the midfield's ability to convert possessions into clearances, a struggle they faced last year. One major change is the addition of Izak Rankine to the midfield, replacing Rory Laird. This has improved the team's speed and ball movement. Other players like Jake Soligo and rookie Sid Draper have also stepped up, helping the Crows deliver better performances. Club captain Jordan Dawson is receiving praise for his play, and Matt Crouch has made a strong comeback after being benched last season. His role in feeding the ball to the right players has been crucial to the team's success. Experts see Adelaide as a serious contender for the AFL premiership this year. They have a balanced midfield with a mix of experienced and younger players. While it’s still early in the season, the Crows hope to continue their winning streak. They face the Kangaroos next, aiming for a 3-0 start for the first time since 2017.