Welcome to all Gameday Squad Coaches, AFL fantasy Coaches, AFL fans or just the curious. GameDay Squad is going to be releasing a series of AFL seasonal reviews that will provide you with all the fantasy insight and recommendations your heart desires. We are just weeks away from the commencement of the 2023 AFL season and if you are late to the party and haven’t done your fantasy research, let GameDay Squad handle that for you. Enjoy this installation of fantasy breakdowns for the Adelaide Crows.
Must start player:
Rory Laird made a name for himself last season. The Adelaide Crows all around were disappointing in 2022, but Laird was not to blame for these shortcomings. He finished 2022 with AFL fantasy’s largest average fantasy score per game and broke an AFL record with an outstanding 20 tackles against Collingwood. Don’t expect Rory Laird to take any steps backwards in 2023. He is going to cost your fantasy team capital, but he is an absolute must-start and is going to deliver for you in the year 2023.
Dream Legend card:
Jordan Dawson in my humble opinion is a lock at the defender position for the Gameday Squad team of the year. Why you ask? He is an AFL Fantasy defender who should be scoring 100+ GDS fantasy points just about every single game this season, not enough? He is only 25 years old and should be taking the kick outs for the Adelaide Crows again next season, giving him free scoring opportunities and being well on his way to another triple-digit scoring average. If that is to be true, he will a set-and-forget player in your fantasy team this season. The combination of all these elements is music to all ears. Jordan Dawson is a player you must roster in your fantasy team, pending if you are lucky enough to own him.
Avoid this Bust:
Rory Sloane is coming off a ruptured ACL ligament which abruptly ended his 2022 campaign in the last quarter of the Crow's round 5 matchup against the Richmond Tigers. There were rumours circulating that Sloane was going to retire after this heart-breaking circumstance, but he has since vowed to take the field again just without the captain's armband this time around. In a full circle moment, Sloane is optimistic about a round-one return against the Richmond Tigers for the 2023 season. Despite all of this and everyone wanting to see Rory Sloane back to his best, the reality of the situation is that Sloane is going to turn 33 before the season starts. With the combination of Sloane coming back after a major injury, and father time rapidly approaching, Rory Sloane is a player you must avoid rostering in your fantasy team.
Value on the rise :
Sam Berry’s day will come soon, but whilst Rory Laird and Ben Keays are dominating in the midfield for the Crows, unfortunately, he is going to have to patiently wait his turn. Sam Berry is the definition of a rising star, his fantasy score output from his rookie season to now has ten folded. He will one day be the workhorse for the Adelaide Crows and one of the premier AFL fantasy midfielders. But in the meantime, buy up Sam Berry stocks and his Gameday Squad cards because he is going to shine. Stay tuned, because if you’re too late to the party, his price might have already skyrocketed.
Value on the decline:
Taylor Walker’s fantasy production has been gradually increasing over the past 2 seasons, despite his off-field antics that seasonally hit our media outlets. Finishing 2022 with his 2nd highest average fantasy points per game in his entire career. Yes, you read that correctly, Tex Walker had his second-best statistical fantasy season in the year 2022. With the emergence of Darcy Fogarty and the highly likely outcome of a regression, Taylor Walker will not be worth the price fantasy coaches have to pay to secure him this year. Additionally, Tex Walker is an Adelaide Crows legend who will be highly regarded by any Crows faithful, again underlining the importance of steering clear of Taylor Walker.
2023 Hot take :
Adelaide Crows fans, management and playing group are bullish on the idea of playing September footy in 2023. The reality of this will be the Crows having a year like the Carlton Blues in 2022, there will be late-season drama and heartbreak for a team who will be turning heads around the league. The ups and downs of the season will be in abundance, creating moments of brilliance throughout. Their destiny ultimately is being edged out and falling short of the top 8 in 2023, I’m sorry Adelaide Crows fans but please forgive me.