Adelaide has hit the halfway mark of the SANFL season with some momentum after consecutive wins in its past two outings.
The Crows have won only three of its games against the nine opposition clubs but impressive recent victories against the Eagles and South Adelaide have confirmed the team’s progress.
SANFL coach Heath Younie expects his side to continue to develop in the second half of the season.
“There’s no one isolated reason for the improvement,” Younie said. “We’ve been playing much better as a team and our senior players have been important.
“The younger players are being exposed to a strong level of competition and playing together, which can only be good for their development.
“They also can learn from playing alongside our more experienced players. We’ve had players such as Brent Reilly, Jason Porplyzia, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten, Taylor Walker and our captain Ian Callinan out there instructing and coaching. That’s incredibly valuable because we’ve been using a lot of young players."
Adelaide’s development squad system was also proving its worth.
“Last weekend we had six playing against the Eagles and they all played a role,” Younie said. “The more they play, the better they adapt to the competition and also learn the way we want to play.
“It’s really exciting to see them enjoying it and feeling a part of it.”
Adelaide, now in 8th spot but only one win behind fifth-placed Norwood, returns to Elizabeth on Saturday to take on Central District.
SANFL mid-season stats
Leading goalkickers: 12 Ian Callinan, 10 Gene Robinson, 9 Charlie Cameron, 8 Tyson Davis-Neale, Shaun McKernan
Leading disposals (total): 184 James Battersby, 179 Cam Ellis-Yolmen, 169 Rory Atkins, 165 Jarryd Lyons, 153 Riley Knight
Leading marks (total): 50 Atkins, Knight, 46 Spina, 43 Jake Kelly, 42 Luke Thompson
52 - The margin in Adelaide’s biggest win of the season, against Central District in round three
14 - The number of development players who have appeared for the Crows this season (Will Paynter, Tyson Davis-Neale, Matt Thompson, George Hurley-Wellington, Gene Robinson, Sam Pfeiffer, Michael O’Malley, Gene Robinson, Addison Burns, Brad Merrett, Darcy Bailey, Paul Marschall, Tom Carroll, Tom Hughes).
6 – Crows-listed players have made their SANFL League debut this year (Alex Spina, Matt Crouch, Riley Knight, Jake Kelly, Charlie Cameron, Sam Siggins)
34 – the most number of possessions in a game by a Crow (Brodie Martin, round five; Jarryd Lyons, round seven)
5 –most goals by an individual in a game (Gene Robinson, round nine)
27.5 – Possessions averaged by Jarryd Lyons in six SANFL appearances
47 – Adelaide’s biggest loss was in the opening round against North Adelaide
9,299 – the biggest crowd at a Crows SANFL game (v Glenelg, round four)
