Put the Sherrin away in favour of the cricket bat over the summer?
Or turn on the TV to watch the NAB Cup Grand FInal, and realise you didn't recognise some of the new or bulked-up Crows players?
Don't panic.
Bring yourself up to speed with the events of the past six months, including new appointments, the drafts and major news stories all in the one place in this comprehensive wrap.
Click on a link to read more
September 7
Only a few days after Adelaide’s round 24 loss to West Coast, star midfielder Scott Thompson is recognised for an outstanding season, as the only South Australian-based player included in the initial 40-man All Australian squad. The Crows’ oldest player Michael Doughty is also rewarded for his consistent year, earning a one-year contract extension.
September 8
Young forward Jack Gunston decides not to continue contract negotiations with Adelaide, requesting a trade back to his native Victoria because of homesickness. The Club tries to convince the 20-year-old to stay, but is unsuccessful and he returns to Melbourne. Ruckman Ivan Maric and defender Tony Armstrong also express an interest in furthering their careers elsewhere.
Crows 'dumbfounded' by Gunston
September 9
Pre-count favourite Scott Thompson caps off a remarkable 2011, claiming his first Club Champion award. “It’s nice to be recognised for a decent season,” Thompson said. “I get frustrated at the season we had team-wise and tend to brush over individual performances because I’d much rather be playing finals right now. Hopefully, going forward I can build on my performance and the team can build, push back into the eight and get the success I believe we’re worthy of.”
Thompson wins first Malcolm Blight Medal
First-year captain Nathan van Berlo records his best-ever finish, taking second place, while reliable defenders Ben Rutten and Graham Johncock tie for third. Former coach Neil Craig is acknowledged for his contribution to the Club and retiring utility Scott Stevens bids farewell with a moving speech.
September 13
The AFL announces Adelaide is to receive ‘band two’ compensation (one mid-first round draft pick) for losing promising defender Phil Davis to Greater Western Sydney. Davis, who missed most of the season with a shoulder injury, revealed his plans to join the Giants in August.
September 19
Adelaide ends its six-week search for Neil Craig’s successor, appointing Geelong assistant and inaugural Crow Brenton Sanderson as the club’s sixth senior coach. “I think success will be a very quick spike at this football club,” Sanderson said. “I’ve seen how quickly things can change with a new coach coming on board and I was very bullish about the list.”
Forward line coach and dual premiership player Mark Bickley, who assumed the role as caretaker coach after Neil Craig’s departure in July, commits to staying at West Lakes as Brenton Sanderson’s ‘right-hand man’. “The first call I made (after being appointed coach) after I spoke to my family was to ‘Bicks’,” Sanderson said. “He’s critical for our success and will be a great help to me.”
Jason Porplyzia, Richard Douglas and Chris Schmidt complete a 500km bike ride across South Australia as part of the Redline Classic. The event raises $15,000 for the Crows Foundation, helping SA kids in need.
September 28
Defensive coach and dual premiership player Ben Hart informs the club of his decision to join Collingwood as an assistant coach under Nathan Buckley.
Midfielder Patrick Dangerfield lights up the MCG and gets the Twitter hashtag ‘#pattyveryquick’ trending in Adelaide, cruising to victory in the Grand Final sprint.
October 4
The Crows announce a major coup, securing former Melbourne coach Dean Bailey in a new strategy and innovation role. “The club is thrilled to add Dean’s experience to our mix of coaches,” said chief executive Steven Trigg. “His role will have a heavy emphasis on strategy, both our own and opposition analysis.”
Bailey joins Crows in new role
Ex-Richmond ruckman Paddy Steinfort is brought in as leadership development manager and assistant coach Matthew Clarke moves into a full-time development position. Matthew Bode is also made full-time in his role as fitness coach.
October 7
Rookie-listed players Chris Schmidt, Jake von Bertouch and Lachlan Roach are informed they won’t be offered new contracts.
Trade week, October 10-17
The Crows snare fancied 17-year-old Brad Crouch and Norwood midfielder/defender Luke Brown as part of a deal with GWS. “The Crows haven’t had many opportunities to bid for the country’s best junior players through the draft system, but Brad is certainly in that category,” said list manager David Noble. “To be in a position to put Brad in the bank now is exciting for our Club and its members.”
Sydney Swans utility Lewis Johnston, St Kilda forward Tom Lynch and Essendon rookie Josh Jenkins also join the club in a busy exchange period, while Gunston (Hawthorn), Maric (Richmond) and Armstrong (Sydney Swans) depart.
Trade week wrap: five new Crows
Johnston: call of home appeals
October 13
Brenton Sanderson completes his coaching panel, appointing former Geelong teammate and dual premiership player Darren Milburn as Ben Hart’s replacement in defence. “Darren has a great football brain and will be able to pass on a lot of this knowledge to our young backline players,” Sanderson said. “I’m very pleased to be able to continue our strong relationship.”
October 14
Midfielders Bernie Vince and Richard Douglas are named in the Australian squad to take on Ireland in the International Rules series starting on October 28.
The Crows apply to have former US College basketballer Ben Dowdell added to their rookie list under the AFL’s ‘alternative talent’ rule. The 201cm, 102kg, athlete has limited football experience, having played only a handful of games as a 17-year-old growing up in New South Wales. “We would like our members and supporters to understand that this is a project with someone, who has great athletic ability but a very minimal football background,” General Manager Football Operations Phil Harper said. “Patience with Ben will be a key ingredient in this process.”
201cm basketballer set for Crows
Rookie hopeful's roller coaster ride
October 19
Injury-hit midfielder Brad Symes accepts a new one-year deal but James Sellar, Myke Cook and Will Young are told their contracts won’t be renewed.
October 28
The 2012 AFL Fixture is released, with the Crows slated to kick off the season against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium. Other highlights of the Club’s draw include two matches each in New South Wales and Queensland and home games against 2011 Grand Finalists Geelong and Collingwood. “First and foremost from a members’ point of view we have some really popular teams travelling to Adelaide,” said chief executive Steven Trigg. “Some will say, the teams you play twice (Gold Coast, Port Adelaide, Greater Western Sydney, Geelong and Fremantle) would indicate the footy department should be pleased. The only thing I would say to that is that the same thing was said 12 months ago and we know what happened.”
November 7
The players return for the first day of pre-season training under Sanderson. "Today was meant to be an introduction day ... but the boys just went like cut cats,” Sanderson said. "It's to be expected, I guess, with a new coach and new coaching group - they're going to try and impress as much as they can.”
November 24
The Crows add another four players to their 2012 squad, selecting hard-bodied midfielder Sam Kerridge and local trio Mitch Grigg, Nick Joyce and Cam ‘Curly’ Ellis-Yolmen in the AFL Draft. Joyce emerges as one of the Cinderella stories of the draft, having spent a year at Adelaide as part of the Club’s junior development team. “Right up until my name was called out, I was kept in the dark,” Joyce said at the time. “My office at the club was on the bottom floor, so I could see (national recruiting manager Matt Rendell) walking in and out with all these players and I thought ‘oh, no. He’s not keen on me’. I think he was playing mind games because he’d walk straight past me. When my name got called out, I just couldn’t believe it. I can’t explain how I’m feeling. It’s just so good.”
Draft wrap: what the Club says
Sky's the limit for Eliis-Yolmen
December 13
Adelaide rounds out its playing list, taking small defender Rory Laird, strong-marking forward Dylan Orval and Sturt goalkicker Tim McIntyre in the AFL Rookie Draft. Delisted utilities Will Young and James Craig are also offered second chances on the Club’s rookie list.
Rookie pair cherish second chances
David Noble reviews the rookie draft
December 14
Interstate recruits Brad Crouch (West Adelaide), Josh Jenkins (Sturt), Tom Lynch (Glenelg), Ben Dowdell (South Adelaide), Dylan Orval (Central District) and Sam Kerridge (Sturt) all find second homes in the SANFL mini-draft. The Club finalises its playing numbers for 2012 with defender Luke Thompson, who had previously owned locker Nos.1 and 28, switching jumpers for the third time in three years at West Lakes, taking the No.6 guernsey he wore in Woodville-West Torrens premiership team.
December 15
Adelaide announces a cash surplus of $385,686 for 2011. The result is after payment of the annual sub-licence fee, contribution to the AAMI Stadium Northern Grandstand and is reported prior to a depreciation provision of $996, 628, resulting in a net deficit of $610,942. The Club’s net assets at the close of the 2011 financial year total $18.6million. “In light of what was a sub-standard season on field, our crowds, membership and sponsorship revenue held up well,” Steven Trigg said. “But finding significant revenue growth in a season of high injury payments and a heavy depreciation schedule proved to be difficult.”
December 16
Club games record holder Andrew McLeod returns to West Lakes, being appointed as a part-time development coach. McLeod furthers his coaching credentials, also accepting an assistant coaching role at Norwood alongside former teammate Nathan Bassett. “Having an assistant coaching role with Norwood and also a role with the Crows allows me to have a real good look at coaching,” McLeod said. “I might not go that (coaching) way at all, but this is a good way for me to dip my toe in the water and see if it’s a good fit. I’m excited about being involved with the club where I played for such a long time and also a great SANFL club like Norwood. If I can help and pass on some of my experience to the younger players that would be fantastic.”
McLeod returns to the nest part-time
December 29
Prime Minster Julia Gillard announces the Federal Government will provide $30 million towards the Adelaide Oval redevelopment. The money will be used to build two new underground car parks for the 50,000-seat, state-of-the-art stadium, which is expected to be ready for AFL action in time for the start of the 2014 season.
January 3-6
Adelaide’s 1-3-year players took a crash course in outdoor survival after what was supposed to be a three-night stay at Club Patron Rob Gerard’s Clipsal Retreat turned into a camping expedition in scrubland near Strathalbyn. Designed to take the players out of their comfort zones, the exercise required the players to sleep under the stars (some without any bedding) and hunt for their food. “The camping element was a bit of a surprise to the players initially and they weren’t quite prepared for it,” leadership development manager and camp organiser Paddy Steinfort said. “They reacted as you might expect when you think you’re staying in a luxury resort and end up sleeping in the bush. There was a little bit of disbelief and they struggled with it a little bit on the first day, but after that they were fantastic and I couldn’t have asked for a better response. They all got on board, pushed each other and worked together. Coming back to the camp on the last night, they seemed to have become really close.”
January 10
afc.com.au delves deep into the archives to find vision of a young Brenton Sanderson on debut for the Crows in 1992.
January 11
We assemble some quirky facts, stats and trivia about Adelaide's 2012 playing squad.
January 24, 2012
The Club launches a Father Son Academy with the aim of building and maintaining relationships with ‘sons’ aged between 8-18, who are eligible to be selected as Father-Son recruits in future drafts. The participants include Andrew McLeod’s oldest child Connor, Ben Hart’s son Zac and the son of inaugural Crow Andrew Jarman. There are only a dozen eligible sons aged between 8-18, who qualify under the AFL’s strict rules, but development coach and program coordinator Tate Kaesler said he was hopeful the Father Son Academy would become an institution at Adelaide. “We thought the Academy was really important for us as a Club, for our past players and for the kids, who are still eligible to be taken as Father-Son selections,” Kaesler said. “In five years’ time, we’re going to have a lot more players, who have played 100 games for the Club, with sons who are eligible … so hopefully the Academy will keep building. We’re not here to force the kids to play AFL footy. We just want to build that relationship between the Club and the past players and their kids.”
January 25
Full-back Ben Rutten has foot surgery after a bout of plantar fasciitis fails to heal with rest.
February 3
Sanderson tells afc.com.au he encourages physicality between his players at training after a niggle between good mates Taylor Walker and Matt Jaensch makes headlines.
February 6
New defensive coach Darren Milburn talks about his decision to join the Crows and his plans for the Club's young backline.
February 9
The Club reveals its leadership group for the start of the new era under Brenton Sanderson. Nathan van Berlo is the ‘unanimous choice’ to retain the captaincy, while experienced heads Scott Thompson (vice-captain) and Ben Rutten (deputy vice-captain) also assume official titles. Emerging stars players Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane are included in the five-man group for the first time, becoming two of the youngest-ever members of the Crows senior leadership group.
Skipper better for tough start
February 15
Recruits Tom Lynch, Tim McIntyre and Brad Crouch are among the standouts in a closed intra-club trial at AAMI Stadium.
Recruits shine in intra-club trial
February 16-17
The Crows hit Berri and its surrounding towns for the 2012 Australia Post AFL Community Camp. The players take time out to visit local schools, hospitals and nursing homes and suffer a narrow loss to Berri Primary School - the lucky winners of the 2012 Adelaide Crows Australia Post AFL Community Camp Primary School’s competition.
February 18
The players take turns wearing a head-cam at training to give viewers a unique look inside an AFL training session.
Crows Eye View: Decision Making
February 26
Adelaide’s 2012 campaign officially gets underway, with wins against Carlton and Port Adelaide in round one of the NAB Cup.
March 1
In a remarkable effort, Jason Porplyzia defies a history of shoulder injuries to be crowned the strongest player at West Lakes.
March 3
The Crows continue their unbeated start to the NAB Cup, easily accounting for the Brisbane Lions in Alice Springs. Boom recruit Brad Crouch makes his debut after being granted special permission from the AFL, while Jason Porplyzia makes his long-awaited return from injury.
March 6
Ben Rutten closes in on a round one return from foot surgery after completing a mini training camp in Melbourne.
March 8
Tony Modra gives a rare interview to AFL.com.au. Read the story and be sure to check out the inredible highlights package.
March 9
The Crows win through to the NAB Cup Grand Final, demolishing an under-strength Collingwood by 77 points.
March 14
Bernie Vince is given a deferred suspension and buys 60 tickets for members to Adelaide's NAB Cup Grand Final against West Coast after a cricket celebration described as 'silly' by CEO Steven Trigg.
Embarrassed Vince will respond: Doughty
March 15
Brent Reilly talks to afc.com.au about his impressive start to the season, and his new home at half-back.
March 16
Matthew Rendell resigns as national recruiting manager after admitting to making a 'stupid' but offensive comment about indigenous players. Rendell disputes the context in which the remark was made, but accepts that to stay on would taint the Club.
Recruiting manager Rendell steps down
March 17
Adelaide secures its second pre-season premiership, overcoming West Coast by 34 points in the NAB Cup Grand Final at AAMI Stadium. After a tough start to the week, Bernie Vince responds to take out the Michaerl Tuck Medal for best on ground.
Hard summer pays off, says Otten
March 19
Ian Callinan is rewarded for a stunning start to the season, elevated to the senior list as the Club's 'nominated rookie' for 2012.
March 20
This day marks the sad passing of Melbourne Football Club legend Jim Stynes. Ex-Demons coach Dean Bailey pays his respects to his late friend and former colleague.
Bailey remembers 'remarkable' Stynes
Ben Rutten and Brent Reilly are among six Club stalwarts to receive Life Membership at the 2012 Season Launch at the Westpac Centre.
