The Adelaide Crows enter the 2025 National Draft with one of the weaker hands among the 18 clubs, possessing just the one first round pick (Pick 16) and a third-round selection (Pick 48).
National recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie conceded to Crows Media that the club’s ability to select their desired prospects will be more difficult than in year’s past, and are unlikely to use up their end-of-draft selections in Pick 55 and 61.
However, Ogilvie remains hopeful that the few prospects they’ve been eyeing will slip through the cracks, particularly in the first round, so they can make a decision on the best talent available to them once the club is on the clock.
“We probably will only have the two picks. That makes it a little bit easier to plan and prepare for but there’s a big gap in between, so there’s a lot of names you might like that will get struck off along the way,” Ogilvie said.
“Whether we have enough stock to move up or move back a bit, we’ll see, but there’s still a couple of things on the go so you never say never.
“However, that’s a bit harder to do this year than it has in the past.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 24: Hamish Ogilvie, National Recruiting Manager of the Crows is seen on the phone during the NAB AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on November 24, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
One player the Crows have reportedly been eyeing is homegrown talent Cam Nairn, who kicked seven goals in a game for South Australia at the U18s National Championships.
However, once viewed as a second-round prospect, Nairn’s set of footy smarts, skill and ability to cover the ground has seen him rise up the draft boards and has been tipped to be selected by the Melbourne Demons before the Crows get the opportunity.
“We’re a bit reliant on the teams ahead of us to see what falls through,” Ogilvie said.
“There’s four names [we’re considering] and maybe two or three will be available at that pick so that’s what we’re looking at.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 01: Cameron Nairn of South Australia kicks during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Allies and South Australia at Blacktown International Sportspark on June 01, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
However, the Crows, unlike some other teams, are sticking to selecting the best talent available to them rather than a player based on fit and system needs.
“We won’t be bogged down on the type, it’ll be the best available player,” Ogilvie said.
“We can look at the last pick to balance some needs. We’ll have three or four strong players to decide from.”
Every first-round selection in the 2025Â AFLÂ Draft will be announced on Wednesday, November 19.