The 2023 season was one of growth for the Adelaide Football Club. 

From a pair of Showdown victories to opening Gather Round in style, the campaign was filled with memorable moments.

Across the next few months we will look back on the 2023 season by hearing from the players who helped define it.

Welcome to AFC Media’s Reflections series.

Adelaide defender Mitch Hinge describes his 2023 campaign as his most consistent in seven seasons on an AFL list.

After only managing three games in four years at Brisbane, Hinge crossed to Adelaide with a hope of starting fresh.

His career at the Crows, however, didn’t get off to the best start, with a shoulder injury limiting him to just one game in his first year at West Lakes.

But across the past two years, the Mundulla product has become a consistent performer, lining up in 17 games in 2022 and then only missing one match in 2023.

Playing 22 games this past season coincided with a permanent move to defence, where he used his breakaway speed and accuracy by foot to help push Adelaide into attack.

Speaking to AFC Media as part of its Reflections series, Hinge said switching from the wing to a full-time backman this year had helped him become a more rounded footballer.

“Originally when I came over from Brisbane, I wanted to change a few things, including consistency and diet, and I think the move to Adelaide helped that,” Hinge said.

“Early on in the season I was obviously playing in the senior side, which was really pleasing.

“Then I think at the bye this year, that’s probably where my good form started.

“It's been a bit of a bit of a change-up this year, in terms of going from playing on the wing to defence, (but) I’ve obviously played my best footy now at half-back. 

“The consistency across the past 18 months has been huge and I have that desire to be the best player I can be and the best teammate.”

Moving into defence also allowed Hinge to develop a strong, on-field partnership with fellow backman Wayne Milera - the pair became a formidable force with their pace across half-back.

“Junior (Wayne Milera) was able to take himself to another level,” Hinge said.

“It (the partnerships) comes a little bit because we spend so much time with each other, playing that same position and we train upstairs in the gym handout on the track - we are always together.

“We’ve always had a pretty good natural friendship - he’s a good man who wants to train hard and he’s always there for a little bit of a laugh as well.

“I love Junior and I’m looking forward to playing a lot more footy alongside him.”

The Crows’ defensive stocks look to Hinge, Milera and veteran Brodie Smith for that on-field leadership, with the average age of the backline being 23.6.

As the third oldest in the group at 25, Hinge said he had enjoyed watching the youngsters develop into quality backmen.

“Nick Murray had been unbelievable until he hurt himself… Max (Michalanney), Nank (Luke Nankervis), Josh Worrell, Keaney (Mark Keane), and even Boz (James Borlase) more recently have been amazing,” Hinge said.

“It shows the work they’re putting in and how good they’ve been to come up and play well.

“Smithy (Brodie Smith) has always just been his consistent best, as well.

“Injuries obviously aren’t great, but it’s allowed some of the younger boys an opportunity.

“They’ve stayed hungry and performed and it’s given them an opportunity to show what they can do.”

And, according to Hinge, the backline’s mantra in 2023 was quite simple.

It is also one the group is set to take into 2024.

“We want to be really honest and defend hard and take the game on,” Hinge said.

“And we want to have a bit of fun with it as well - that’s what we focus on.”

Refusing to rest on his laurels, Hinge was eyeing even more improvement in 2024.

“I think being versatile is something that’s always going to be good within anyone and I still want to be valued as a player who can play anywhere and help wherever the team needs,” Hinge said.

“Although I have enjoyed my year at half-back, getting up the ground is always fun as well.

“I think strength and fitness is something every player wants to keep improving on, so I just want to keep building my game and keep building my game on a consistent level.

“I don’t want to just look to play but look to be a solid contributor and someone the boys can rely on.”

He also believed the Crows were heading in a strong direction, saying “the sky's the limit for us”.

“I feel like, with the emerging talent we have like (Josh) Rachele, Ranks (Izak Rankine), (Jake) Soligo, to name a few - they’ve been unbelievable this year and they’ve all got more AFL games under their belts, now.

“Another year in the gym and on the training track, they’re going to be even better.

“It’s so exciting to see where we can go and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”