After failing to find room for a single Crow last year, respected journalist Mike Sheahan has included five of Adelaide brightest stars in his top 50 players for 2013.

All Australian Patrick Dangerfield has rocketed from outside the top 50 to No.3 this year. Only Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett Jr and Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury are ranked ahead of Dangerfield.

On Dangerfield, Sheahan says: He's a jet, this bloke (Dangerfield). Love his sense of daring and his power. It's see-ball, get-ball for him, and when he's got it, he heads for home like a runaway burglar.”

Influential forward Taylor Walker also made Sheahan’s top 10, coming in at No.9.

“The Crows lost Tippett, but kept the more valuable key forward (Walker). Brilliant athlete, good hands, long, accurate kick,” Sheahan said of Walker.

Reigning Club Champion and All Australian Scott Thompson is the next-best Crow at No.20. The reliable midfielder is ranked just behind Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich (19) and dual-Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd (18).

“Won Adelaide's best and fairest and All Australian selection last year and finished equal-fourth in Brownlow. Suspect I mark him hard, but his status as an elite midfielder can't be questioned,” Sheahan said.

Rory Sloane and Sam Jacobs round out Adelaide’s inclusions. The pair occupies consecutive spots (Sloane No.26 and Jacobs No.27) on the back of breakout 2012 seasons.

Sheahan describes Sloane’s enthusiasm as “infectious”.

“You’ve got to love this kid. His energy is infectious, he runs all day and he’s very good when the heat is on.”

Jacobs is ranked two spots behind West Coast big man Nic Naitanui, who controversially earned All-Australian selection ahead of the South Australian.

“Led the competition in hitouts and hitouts to advantage. Unlucky to miss All Australian selection. Useful mark, not bad in front of goal,” Sheahan said.

Only Collingwood (six) and the Sydney Swans (six) have more club selections than Adelaide. Grand Finalists Hawthorn also have five players in the top 50.

Sheahan’s list, which can be viewed in full on the Herald Sun website, is picked on potential ahead of the start of the season.