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<\/a><\/p>\nAdelaide had a quieter off-season compared to recent years gone by, with Matthew Nicks<\/a> looking to refine his squad rather than bolster it off the back of a minor premiership-winning 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n The Crows’ sole trade period play saw them acquire seven-gamer Finnbar Maley<\/a> from North Melbourne before two-time premiership Lion Callum Ah Chee<\/a> walked to West Lakes via the Pre-Season Draft.<\/p>\n The draft saw the South Australian club further add to its attacking options with two target forwards, which would prove to be its only two selections of the talent intake.<\/p>\n With a number of players set to enter their prime and other Crows keen to break into the best 23, we take a look at Adelaide’s best lineup for 2026.<\/p>\n Defenders<\/p>\n Adelaide’s list build has seen Nicks take charge of one of the best defences in the game, if not the best.<\/p>\n The club’s tall defensive options could be unrivalled, with Mark Keane<\/a> and Josh Worrell<\/a> developing into All-Australian worthy names in 2025.<\/p>\n Add them to the reliable pairing of Nick Murray<\/a> and Jordon Butts<\/a>,\u00a0<\/p>\n Injuries to the reliable pairing of Jordon Butts<\/a> and Nick Murray<\/a> have allowed the Crows to toy with different combinations on the last line, but when all four are fit, one is likely to fall on the outer at selection.\u00a0<\/p>\n Adelaide also has a sturdy smaller lockdown option in Max Michalanney<\/a>, who continues to grow his game as a two-way weapon in defence. With Michalanney potentially in line for more minutes further up the field, where he can use his defensive strengths and clean kicking, young stopper Hugh Bond<\/a> could have a larger role to play this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Veteran Rory Laird<\/a> returned to half-back last year and will likely retain his place in defence after a strong 2025 campaign, with the three-time best and fairest winner to be the veteran voice down back.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wayne Milera<\/a> and Mitch Hinge will also offer some run out of the backline as the club’s ideal distributors, however they’ll have some selection pressure from the likes of Luke Nankervis<\/a>, Charlie Edwards<\/a>, Oscar Ryan<\/a> and the aforementioned Bond.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Adelaide Crow Max Michalanney (Photo by Sarah Reed\/AFL Photos)<\/p>\n
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