As the Crows launched their 2026 season on Friday, fans have been asked to look into their crystal balls to come up with predictions for Adelaide’s upcoming AFL campaign.
Many supporters found it hard to go past Skipper Jordan Dawson claiming a fourth Club Champion award, while Riley Thilthorpe has been widely tipped to finish as the team’s leading goalkicker.
Consensus calls or a few surprises? You be the judge.
Steve with son Ari
Club Champion: Izak Rankine.
Breakout player: Josh Rachele.
Rising Star nominee: Sid Draper.
Leading goalkicker: Riley Thilthorpe.
Player you’re keen to watch: I always love watching the Texan.
Mark of the Year: Jordan Dawson - Daws can take a good grab.
Goal of the Year: Izak Rankine.
Ladder position: I think we will finish third.
Game to watch: The first game this year against Collingwood (Round One).
Megan with daughters Jade and Mia
Club Champion: Izak Rankine - I’d love to see him move into the midfield and bring energy.
Breakout player: Billy Dowling and James Borlase.
Rising Star: Mitch Marsh.
Leading goalkicker: Riley Thilthorpe.
Player you’re keen to watch: Isaac Cumming.
Mark of the Year: Dan Curtin - I hope wearing the No. 6 brings out the Mods (Tony Modra) in him.
Goal of the Year: Josh Rachele from the Eddie Betts pocket.
Ladder position: Second.
Game to watch: Gather Round against Carlton (Round Five) and Round One v Collingwood.
Corey
Club Champion: It’s hard to go past Jordan Dawson again.
Breakout player: Sid Draper.
Rising Star nominee: Sid Draper.
Leading goalkicker: Riley Thilthorpe.
Player you’re keen to watch: Jordan Dawson.
Mark of the Year: Darcy Fogarty - I reckon Fog is going to take a big one this year.
Goal of the Year: Izak Rankine.
Ladder position: We’ll be top.
Game to watch: Everyone will have their eyes fixed on Crows v Collingwood (Round One).
Neil with son Brody
(Neil)
Club Champion: I reckon Jordan Dawson.
Breakout player: Luke Nankervis.
Rising Star nominee: Sid Draper.
Leading goalkicker: Izak Rankine
Player you’re keen to watch: Callum Ah Chee.
Mark of the Year: Josh Rachele.
Goal of the Year: Izak Rankine.
Ladder position: In the top eight, I’m not sure exactly where.
Game to watch: The Showdown (Rounds Eight and 16).
(Brody)
Club Champion: Jordan Dawson.
Breakout player: Izak Rankine.
Rising Star nominee: Sid Draper.
Leading goalkicker: Izak Rankine.
Player you’re keen to watch: Taylor Walker.
Mark of the Year: Izak Rankine.
Goal of the Year: Izak Rankine.
Ladder position: We’ll finish fifth.
Game to watch: Adelaide v Brisbane (Round Seven at The Gabba).
Scott with Nicole, Lucas, Zac and Jackson
Club Champion: I think Izak Rankine. I think if he gets a full season under his belt, he’s our best player and up there as the best in the League. If he can play the whole season, I think he wins it.
Breakout player: I hope it’s Luke Nankervis, I don’t think he’s shown his full potential yet.
Rising Star nominee: I hope Sid Draper.
Leading goalkicker: Surely it’s Riley Thilthorpe or Darcy Fogarty.
Player you’re keen to watch: Always Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine.
Mark of the Year: Jordan Dawson.
Goal of the Year: Surely Izak Rankine.
Ladder position: I think we will finish fourth. We are going to have a harder draw and some key players will be missing for the first part of the year, but I think we can still finish top four.
Game to watch: The game against Collingwood (Round One) and the Showdown (Rounds Eight and 16).
Arlo
Club champ: Izak Rankine.
Breakout player: Luke Nankervis.
Rising Star: Dan Curtin.
Leading goalkicker: Josh Rachele.
Player you’re keen to watch: Josh Rachele - he’s my favourite player.
Mark of the Year: Riley Thilthorpe.
Goal of the Year: Darcy Fogarty.
Ladder position: Third.
Game to watch: Home Showdown (Round Eight).
Ben
Club Champion: Jordan Dawson.
Breakout player: Hugh Bond.
Rising Star nominee: Mitch Marsh.
Leading goalkicker: Riley Thilthorpe.
Player you’re keen to watch: Taylor Walker.
Mark of the Year: Izak Rankine.
Goal of the Year: Izak Rankine.
Ladder position: First.
Game to watch: The game against Collingwood at the ‘G (Round One).
Henry
Club Champion: Ben Keays.
Breakout player: Luke Nankervis.
Rising Star nominee: Sid Draper.
Leading goalkicker: Darcy Fogarty.
Player you’re keen to watch: Callum Ah Chee.
Mark of the Year: Riley Thilthorpe.
Goal of the Year: Izak Rankine.
Ladder position: Second.
Game to watch: Round One against Collingwood.
Ronnie
Club Champion: Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine, or Riley Thilthorpe.
Breakout player: Josh Rachele or Luke Nankervis.
Rising Star nominee: Charlie Edwards.
Leading goalkicker: Riley Thilthorpe.
Player you’re keen to watch: All of them.
Mark of the Year: Dan Curtin.
Goal of the Year: Izak Rankine.
Round One debutant: Callum Ah Chee.
Ladder position: Sixth-to-eighth.
Game to watch: The Showdown (Rounds Eight and 16).
Denise
Club Champion: Taylor Walker - we know his parents and we love him.
Breakout player: Josh Rachele and Izak Rankine.
Rising star: Josh Rachele.
Leading goalkicker: Taylor Walker to kick 60.
Player you’re keen to watch: Taylor Walker.
Mark of the Year: Josh Rachele.
Goal of the Year: Izak Rankine.
Ladder position: Minor Premiers - they have to do it again for Taylor.
Game to watch: Crows v Port (Showdown Round Eight and 16).
Elliot
Club Champion: Izak Rankine.
Breakout player: Riley Thilthorpe.
Rising Star: Sid Draper.
Leading goalkicker: Josh Rachele.
Player you’re keen to watch: Izak Rankine.
Mark of the year: Riley Thilthorpe.
Goal of the Year: Izak Rankine.
Ladder position: First.
Game to watch: Grand Final.
