SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Crows heading into the 2022 Hostplus SANFL League season.
Finished – 8th
Record – 5 wins and 13 losses
State League Club Champion – Kieran Strachan
Runner-up – James Borlase
Third Place – Ronin O’Connor
Dean Bailey Award (Best Development Player) – Jay Boyle
The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year – Kieran Strachan (Ruck)
COMING
Nathan Freeman (Frankston VFL), Josh Rachele (Shepparton/Murray Bushrangers), Jake Soligo (Eastern Ranges), Zac Taylor (Calder Cannons), Luke Nankervis (Sandringham Dragons), Louis Sharrad (Port District/Woodville-West Torrens), Isaya McKenzie (Willaston/Central District), Jacob Templeton (Central District), Josh Smithson (North Haven/West Adelaide)
GOING
James Mathews (Sturt), Ollie Davis (South Adelaide), Ben Davis (delisted), Tom Lynch (delisted), Jake Kelly (Essendon), David Mackay (retired), Ronin O’Connor (delisted), Daniel Talia (retired)
Saturday March 5
Adelaide v North at West Lakes – 10am
Saturday March 19
Adelaide v Norwood at West Lakes – 12.30pm
Friday March 25
Port v Adelaide at Alberton – TBC
It was certainly a case of better late than never when Adelaide swooped on former St Kilda and Collingwood midfielder Nathan Freeman last week.
Averaging 37 disposals for Frankston in the VFL last season, the strongly-built 26-year-old narrowly missed out on the last place on Gold Coast’s list, with the Suns opting for Magarey Medallist James Tsitas.
Freeman has endured a luckless run with injury but now the top-10 AFL Draft pick appears primed to make his mark in the Hostplus SANFL League in 2022.
Former West Adelaide midfielder Josh Smithson has joined Adelaide’s list of 15 Development Squad players for 2022 as he attempts to ignite his SANFL career.
Winner of the 2017 Torrens University Cup MVP, the 22 year-old has been playing for Essendon’s VFL side as well as locally for North Haven.
Having dominated SANFL’s U18 competition five years ago, the mature-age recruit looms as one to watch inside the centre square for the Crows this year.
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