Round One of season 2013 kicks off in just over a week, which means it’s time to start making some serious decisions about your Dream Team.

Adelaide wrapped up its NAB Cup campaign against Carlton last Friday night. We review the top-scoring Crows from the win over the Blues, and nominate the players to strongly consider for your Fantasy side.

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Top point scorers v Carlton

Nathan van Berlo – 94 points
$427,900 MID
13 kicks, five handballs, eight tackles and 1.0

The skipper backed up an 84-point Dream Team performance in his first pre-season hit-out against Geelong with Adelaide’s highest score (94 points) in the win over Carlton. Ranked No.1 at the Crows for tackles last season, van Berlo was back to his defensive best against the Blues, laying an equal-game high eight tackles. He averaged 83.05 points per game in 2012 and could be a unique midfield option.

Taylor Walker – 83 points
$448,900 FWD
11 kicks, five handballs, seven marks and 3.0 (plus two super goals)

‘Big Walks’ responded to a quiet match against the Cats with a dominant display on Friday night. Walker slotted five goals, including two super goals and also hauled in seven marks. Walker proved he’ll be almost impossible to stop when the Crows get the ball inside 50m quickly. At $448,900 the star Crow is a ‘premium’ forward, but he averaged more goals per game than any other player in the League with the exception of Hawthorn premiership player Lance Franklin and still only 22 years of age has enormous upside.

Scott Thompson – 76 points
$541,200 MID
10 kicks, 16 handballs and four tackles

Thompson continued on his ball-winning ways against Carlton, racking up 26 touches. A higher than usual handball-to-kick ratio prevented his score from being higher, but in reduced game time 76 points was a more than serviceable score. Remarkably consistent, the prolific Crow has won the fifth-most disposals of any player since 2005 and is worth every cent of his $541,200 price tag.

Bernie Vince – 69 points
$409,400 MID
14 kicks, seven handballs and five marks (also one super goal)

Vince averaged 74 points in his two NAB Cup outings playing in a variety of positions. The 2009 Crows Club Champion has the potential to rack up possessions across half-back, where he’s been tried this pre-season, and is also dangerous around goals as a half-forward.

Brad Crouch – 66 points
$108,500 MID
10 kicks, five handballs, six marks and 1.0

The young midfielder played his best game in Crows colours against the Blues, collecting 15 possessions and his first goal. Crouch racked up 19 touches in the trial game against Fremantle, and 14 across two mini games in the opening round of the NAB Cup. The 19-year-old will take time to settle at the elite level, but just knows how to find the ball and his performance against Carlton will make him hard to squeeze out of the Round One team. He has the talent of a top-five draft pick, but because of his pre-draft selection doesn’t attract the premium first-round price tag. A must have.

Patrick Dangerfield – 61 points
$525,000 MID
Six kicks, 10 handballs, four tackles and 1.0

The third-best player in the AFL according to respected journalist Mike Sheahan, Dangerfield is another must have in your 2013 Dream Team. The explosive midfielder followed up a team-high 124 points against Geelong with 61 points in three quarters of game time. Dangerfield is the complete package, boasting the ability to win the ball in close, break away with speed and finish his work in front of goal. He enjoyed a breakout year in 2012 and at 22 years of age is another young Crow with his best footy ahead of him. Lock him in.

Also consider …

Rory Sloane
$470,100 MID
Another young Crow who had a breakout 2012 season and will only get better.

Matt Wright
$438,700 FWD/MID
Earned a spot in Adelaide’s starting midfield halfway through the season and didn’t look back. A strong ball winner, tackler and goalkicker, Wright is an excellent unique option and has the bonus of dual-position status.

Luke Brown
$147,700 DEF
Appears to have done enough to secure a spot in the Crows’ back six. Won’t score big if he plays a lockdown role, but has the capacity to win his own footy and should play plenty of games this year.

Richard Douglas
$372,600 MID
Along with Wright, Douglas starred in the absence of Adelaide’s more experienced players in the opening round of the NAB Cup. Missed several matches through injury last year, but has enjoyed an uninterrupted season and is another unique, mid-priced option.

Ricky Henderson
$261,700 DEF/FWD

Could be absolutely anything if he stays fit. Booted six goals against Port Adelaide in Round 15 last season and also has the capacity to play in defence. Reasonably priced.

Sam Jacobs
$449,900 RUC
Unlucky to miss out on All-Australian selection last season, Jacobs is one of the premium ruckmen in the competition. Will play big minutes again in 2013 and could also snag a few goals resting up forward.

Josh Jenkins
$316,100 FWD/RUC
Looks set to be given the first crack at the vacant spot in the forward line after a solid summer. Inexperienced in AFL terms, Jenkins is still developing, but has an enormous upside and potential to score big.

Sam Kerridge
$108,500 FWD/MID
The second-year midfielder was squeezed out of the team to play Carlton, but remains right in the mix and should play a number of AFL games this season.

Richard Tambling
$208,100 DEF
Suffered an untimely injury setback after an impressive pre-season, but will return for Sturt this weekend and should receive opportunities early in the season.