The team at AFL Media assessed the competition's elder statesmen ahead of Season 2016.

At 32, Thompson is by far the most experienced player on the Crows' list, with 285 senior matches.

His contested possession game remains elite and without Patrick Dangerfield it will have to remain so in 2016. He averaged almost 27 touches in 21 games last year as if to prove to any doubters that he still had it.

The age old question

The two-time Crows Club Champion is showing little signs of slowing down either. He ran a personal best time trial on his return to pre-season training and has been a vocal leader over summer at West Lakes.

Already an Adelaide Football Club Life Member, Thompson is set to become the eighth Crow to play 250 AFL games in the tri-colours.

Nathan van Berlo is the only other Crow set to join the 30-plus in Season 2016. Eddie Betts turns 30 in November.

Read AFL Media's full wrap of the competition's '30-somethings'