Adelaide has launched its Crows Academies Elite Talent Squad for the 2019 season, bringing together 60 of the State’s best Next Generation Academy (NGA) players. 

The Elite Talent Squads feature Under-14 to Under-16 male and female players from the Club’s four NGA zones in North Adelaide, Glenelg, Sturt and Central District, with players eligible for being drafted in 2021-22. 

Academies Manager Jarrod Meers said the program was a significant step forward for the Club after a record 19 Academy and Father Son players were drafted into the AFL this year. 

“We have seen from the recent men’s and women’s AFL drafts the importance of clubs investing in their own Academies model,” Meers said. 

“This year alone unprecedented numbers were taken as Academy picks.

“We are confident that our Academies programs like the Elite Talent Squads will identify, inspire and accelerate future talent onto our lists. 

“Up until now it has been a slow burn for the Crows Academies programs, but I see the way we are nurturing and value-adding to the overall talent pool in South Australia being significantly important and prosperous for the Club.”  

Adelaide’s Ben Davis (Sydney) and Elliott Himmelberg (Brisbane) are interstate Academy graduates while AFLW draftees Nikki Gore, Chloe Scheer and Kaitlyn Rosenzweig are Crows Academy graduates. 

The program runs for the next six months with a focus on skills development, professional elite standards and off-field personal development. 

Crows Academies Elite Talent Squads will play in several curtain raisers during 2019, including the Round 16 Showdown against the Power Academy and the AFLW Round One opener against 2018 Premiers Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval. 

More information on the Crows Academies Elite Talent Squad is available here.