2021 Adelaide Pocket Profile

SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Crows heading into the 2021 Statewide Super League season.

Coming
Riley Thilthorpe (West Adelaide), Luke Pedlar (Glenelg), Brayden Cook (South Adelaide), Sam Berry (Gippsland Power), James Rowe (Woodville-West Torrens), James Borlase (Sturt), Tariek Newchurch (North Adelaide), Matt Merrett (returned/Glenelg), Hamish Latchford (returned/Sturt), Zac Bates (Payneham NU/West Adelaide)

Going
Bryce Gibbs (retired/South Adelaide), Patrick Wilson (delisted/Sturt), Riley Knight (delisted/Woodville-West Torrens), Rory Atkins (Gold Coast), Myles Poholke (delisted), Jordan Gallucci (delisted)

Saturday March 6
Norwood 12.3 (75) d Adelaide 11.5 (71) at Coopers Stadium

Saturday March 20
Woodville-West Torrens v Adelaide at Thebarton Oval – 9.20am (Reserves v PAOC at 12pm)

Friday March 26
Port Adelaide v Adelaide at Alberton Oval – 5pm

Adelaide’s defensive structure is set to benefit from the return of Matt Merrett as a key development player in 2021. Winner of the 2019 Dean Bailey Award as the Crows’ best-performed development player, Merrett spent last season with Glenelg where the 27-year-old played eight League matches after being hindered by injury. Coach Michael Godden has been impressed with the Penola product’s attitude on the training track as he earmarks him for a vital role this season.

He carries a very famous footballing surname in SA but Hayden Kernahan plays a very different role to Stephen. The former South Adelaide junior from Cove impressed coach Michael Godden playing as a small defender in Adelaide’s narrow trial loss to Norwood, ensuring he’s in the mix to play pending AFL-listed players’ availability. Measuring in at 184cm, the 20-year-old is working on adding muscle to his light frame of just 72kg.