Coach Brenton Sanderson says several key Crows are poised to rebound from a disappointing 2013 season after strong summers on the track.

Forward Jason Porplyzia, ball winners David Mackay and Matt Wright, and ruckman Sam Jacobs have been among the standouts of Adelaide’s pre-season. Porplyzia, 29, was limited to 16 games last year. The classy goalkicker showed glimpses of his best, kicking multiple goals in three games mid-season but was unable to maintain his good form and found his way out of the team.

Porplyzia has cut a lean figure at training, impressing with his neat skills and overhead marking.

“Porps hasn’t put a foot wrong over the summer. He’s one we hope to get in good (playing) form during the NAB Challenge series,” Sanderson said.

“’Porps’ is in the twilight of his career, but at his best he’s a critical player for us.”

Mackay has also responded to a sub-par 2013 with a strong pre-season campaign.

The explosive wingman was among the leaders in Adelaide’s endurance testing, and even pipped captain Nathan van Berlo over a shorter distance. Jacobs has trimmed down and focused on his endurance, as has Wright, who has impressed in match simulation.

“All those guys are coming off a 2013 campaign where they were below their best and they’ll be the first to admit that. The signs look good for those guys thus far,” Sanderson said.

“They haven’t missed a training session. Jacobs is really important for us. Matty Wright had a great 2012. He had a couple of injuries last year, but was still important for us at different times. David Mackay is a real electrifying player for us at his best.

“All four of those guys will be keen to build on their good starts to the year.”

Porplyzia will be hoping to line up alongside new recruits Eddie Betts and James Podsiadly in a revamped forward line. Sanderson said NAB Challenge form would determine the exact make-up of Adelaide’s attack to take on Geelong at Simonds Stadium in Round One.

“I’m really excited about the forward line. Our forward line for Round One against Geelong could look very different to how it looked at the end of last season,” Sanderson said.

“We’ve got two really good pick-ups in Eddie Betts and James Podsiadly. They’ve been fantastic on the track and great in meetings. Our players have quickly become attached to them and they’ve really embraced the Club.”

Another talented Crow, who will be out to cement his place in the team is Sam Shaw.

Shaw earned a NAB Rising Star nomination during a breakout season in 2012. However, a hamstring injury restricted him to only two matches last year.

The versatile left-footer has enjoyed an uninterrupted summer and could play a key role at either end of the ground in 2014.

“Andy Otten and Sam Shaw are effectively both ‘swingmen’ for us. They can play forward and back,” Sanderson said.

“Andy kicked a lot of goals for us in our makeshift forward line last season. It probably showed how much we missed Sam Shaw last year. He was really important for us in 2012 and hardly played a game last year.

“Fingers crossed, he’s had a good summer and has some solid training under his belt. Hopefully, he’s flying for the start of the season as well.”