FORMER
Ricciuto, who retired at the end of last season, said there is a misconception the Crows' list is "too old" and considers his former side a genuine contender this year.
"It was [old] but it's not any more. They got rid of me and that made a fair bit of difference," he told afl.com.au.
"They're going well and they'll be around the mark, I think.
"The pre-season isn't always [an indication], but they're a very well-drilled side, they're very well coached and they've got good leadership.
"I think they've found a couple of important players in the pre-season. Kurt Tippett looks like he's going to give them something up forward that they've been looking for.
"Some of the junior players in the middle of the team have really improved, so I think they'll make the eight, definitely."
Ricciuto watched Saturday night's NAB Cup Grand Final on television as he was in
He said he liked what he saw from the Crows, particularly what the younger members of the side produced under pressure.
"Both sides could have won in the end, but St Kilda was a little bit too good," he said.
"For the guys to play in those sorts of conditions was a fantastic effort, and I guess they've been training in it over the summer, but to play a full game in a Grand Final is a good effort.
"They're going a bit better than everyone expected, so it's good for the boys,"
"They've put in a lot of younger players so they're going to get a good run and they're the future, obviously.
"They need to take a bit of ownership there and take a bit of the pressure off the older guys, like Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards and Simon Goodwin."
Ricciuto, who will spend this year away from the club he played 312 games for, said he doesn't regret his decision to retire at the age of 32.
"I'm enjoying the time off. I was more than ready to retire; I've had a good career, so I'm happy to go into retirement now."
