Best 22 – round one
B: Jake Kelly, Kyle Hartigan, Tom Doedee
HB: Rory Laird, Daniel Talia, Luke Brown
C: Rory Atkins, Rory Sloane, Paul Seedsman
HF: Tom Lynch, Darcy Fogarty, Richard Douglas
F: Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Mitch McGovern
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Matt Crouch, Bryce Gibbs
I/C: Sam Gibson, Curtly Hampton, David Mackay, Lachlan Murphy
Emerg: Cam Ellis-
2017 best and fairest top three
1. Matt Crouch
2. Rory Sloane
3. Rory Laird
Injury list
Skipper Taylor Walker and midfielder Brad Crouch are outside chances to be available for round one, but it's unlikely they play without a pre-season game under their belt. Forward Riley Knight is expected back from a foot injury in the first month of the season, while the Crows are optimistic attacking defender Brodie Smith can return late in the season after a torn ACL in the finals last year.
The big questions
Will Rory Sloane re-sign with the Crows?
Sloane will certainly have big money offers from several Victorian clubs if he decides to return home. But the Crows will also be keen to avoid another gun player leaving the
Can the Crows bounce back from last year's Grand Final defeat?
The mental scars from the Grand Final loss to Richmond will be hard to shake. Outside of Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron, the Crows have kept the same side, while also adding a genuine star in Bryce Gibbs. They'll have a point to prove, that's for sure.
Are they able to fight back when things aren't going their way?
The Crows struggle to wrest back the momentum in games when the opposition gets on a run. It's partly
Look for…
Bryce Gibbs to show exactly why the Crows were willing to part with two first-round draft picks to secure his services. Gibbs adds class, composure and quality decision making to the Crows' midfield. He'll also spend time across half-back to plug the gap left by Brodie Smith's knee injury.
Who they play
The Crows will have to run the gauntlet if they're to go one better this year. Last season's runners-up face premiers Richmond, preliminary finalists Greater Western Sydney and predicted big improvers Melbourne twice, along with the traditional two Showdowns against Port Adelaide. The Grand Final rematch with the Tigers in round two at Adelaide Oval is one to note in the calendar. Getting North Melbourne and Carlton in rounds 22 and 23 should present an easy run into the finals, assuming they get there.
Fantasy cash cow
Defender Tom Doedee ($170,000) looks to have secured himself a spot in the Crows' backline as the replacement for Jake Lever. Doedee was the leading intercept marker in the SANFL last year. He's had a couple of solid games in the JLT Community Series and should be a regular contributor in the Crows' best 22 this year. Small forward Lachlan Murphy ($170,000) is another to keep an eye on after some impressive performances during the pre-season. He kicked three goals against Fremantle and should rack up tackles with his pressure-forward role.
Sudden impact
If he doesn't play in round one, you can bet Darcy Fogarty will debut at some stage this season. He looked like the Crows' most dangerous forward in the JLT Community Series clash with Port Adelaide, booting three first-half goals. Whether he plays immediately will depend on Taylor Walker's foot injury. Nevertheless, it won't be long before Fogarty forces his way into the side.
Darcy Fogarty has already made a big impression in the Crows' forward line. Picture: AFL Photos
It's crunch time for…
Forward Josh Jenkins needs to have a big season. Jenkins was hardly sighted in the Grand Final loss to Richmond, having just seven disposals and kicking 0.1. He was also disappointing in the Crows' two JLT Community Series games. This is a player who has booted 40 goals in each of the past four years. However, opposition defenders aren't letting him get easy goals over the back and Jenkins gets beaten too easily one-on-one.
Pressure rating on the coach
The time is now. Don Pyke signed a contract extension until 2021 so his position isn't in any jeopardy, but he needs to make the most of the Crows' premiership window.
The 2017 habit the Crows must kick…
Being unable to raise their game when the opposition lifts its intensity around the contest.
The Crows will have a good year if…
Bryce Gibbs and Sam Gibson improve the midfield and help take the pressure off Rory Sloane and the Crouch brothers.
They’re in trouble if…
They lose ruckman Sam Jacobs to an injury for any length of time. He's a lot better than
The Crows need Sam Jacobs to be feeding the ball all year to Bryce Gibbs. Picture: AFL Photos
Pass mark
After reaching the Grand Final last year, the Crows go in with high expectations. Nothing less than a preliminary final will be considered a successful season. Even that could be deemed a failure in some circles given their 20-year premiership drought.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 1st
Player
Rory Sloane, fifth. The gun midfielder got as high as second overall after a hot start to last season, but a few quiet games after being tagged saw him slip a few spots.
