What's in their favour? Experience, strong bodies, watertight defence and shrewd coaching by Neil Craig are the Crows' calling cards. Now comes a commitment to loosen the shackles and play a more free-flowing, attacking brand of football. Adelaide's forward set-up will look a lot different also, with stars Andrew McLeod, new skipper Simon Goodwin and fellow veteran Tyson Edwards likely to spend plenty of time forward, a move that could both rejuvenate the Crows' scoring power and prolong further three great careers.
What's not? The retirement of Mark Ricciuto leaves an enormous vacuum in terms of leadership, leading goalkicker for 2007 Scott Welsh is gone, as is No. 1 ruckman Ben Hudson and defensive runner Martin Mattner. With a season-ending knee injury to Rhett Biglands, the most experienced of the Crows' remaining four potential ruckmen, Jonathon Griffin, has just 16 games to his name. McLeod, Goodwin and Edwards filled three of the top four spots in last year's best and fairest. Adelaide desperately needs a younger face to find similar levels of performance.
Stepping into the spotlight? Nathan van Berlo is the pick of Adelaide's young brigade, a hard-working, disciplined midfielder now in the Crows' leadership group. Chris Knights already has made an impact in the middle, but has the potential to improve several levels yet, while Jason Porplyzia is smart near goal but could play more in the engine room this season. Kangaroo recruit Brad Moran will have to get over his finger injury but could occupy a key spot in defence and Kurt Tippett looks a likely prospect either in ruck or a key position.
In their wildest dreams? The old war horses stay injury-free and provide their usual brilliance, the raw ruck contingent holds its ground, and the Crows are able to "soup up" a game style that was beginning to look outdated. A lot has to go right for Adelaide to make a fourth straight finals series.
The reality? As close as Adelaide was to premierships in 2005-06, rebuilding is now clearly the name of the game, the pressure right on the younger faces to reach the stellar heights of McLeod, Goodwin and Co post haste. Finals don't look a realistic goal.
ROBERT WALLS 10th The Crows blew a chance to win a flag in recent years by not being attacking enough. With a big list turnover headed by the retirement of former skipper Mark Ricciuto, indications are coach Craig will encourage his players to take more risks, to kick more goals. Let's hope so.
ROHAN CONNOLLY 12th A handful of greats remain, but this year is about building the next era for the Crows - the game plan refined and with a new-look midfield and very raw ruck division feeling their way.
