Anne Fedorowytsch looks back over Adelaide’s 2011 season and predicts which players may have caught the eye of the match committee ...

Round one, Adelaide 16.9 (105) defeated Hawthorn 12.13 (85) at AAMI Stadium.

The club celebrated its 20th anniversary in style, flying over the more fancied Hawks in the second half. Taylor Walker and Patrick Dangerfield broke the game open in the third term, kicking three and two goals respectively. Defender Phil Davis had 25 possessions and held Lance Franklin to just two goals, Scott Stevens collected 27 possessions and Rory Sloane starred in the midfield despite finishing the game with a broken jaw and thumb. Top vote prediction: Dangerfield

Round three, Adelaide 7.12 (54) lost to Fremantle 11.13 (79) at AAMI Stadium.

Adelaide did not recover from a poor start, when it trailed by 30 points after failing to kick a goal in the opening term. The Crows were more competitive in the second half but the damage had been done. Again, Patrick Dangerfield was a standout and Scott Thompson was busy in the midfield, gathering 40 disposals. Top vote prediction: Scott Thompson

Round four, Adelaide 9.12 (66) lost to Port Adelaide 14.14 (98) at AAMI Stadium.

The Power came from 34 points down in the second quarter to snatch a victory, as the Crows could only muster two goals after half time. Scott Thompson was a front runner in the possession count with 32 under his belt and Ben Rutten also had an impressive 29-touch game. Taylor Walker booted two goals. Top vote prediction: Scott Thompson

Round five, Adelaide 12.7 (79) lost to Carlton 11.19 (85) at Etihad Stadium.

The club travelled interstate for the first time in the season but failed to bring home the four points. After a lacklustre first quarter effort, the team lifted and eventually drew level with the Blues late in the game before fading in the final few minutes. Graham Johncock provided plenty of drive from defence and Patrick Dangerfield had 15 contested possessions and nine clearances. Taylor Walker kicked four majors and Kurt Tippett scored three. Top vote prediction: Johncock

Round six, Adelaide 13.12 (90) defeated St.Kilda 9.17 (71) at AAMI Stadium.

Kurt Tippett followed up his good form from the previous week, nailing four goals, but it was Patrick Dangerfield who sealed the win with a long range goal in the final term. Chris Knights also had a night out, scoring three of his own including two crucial goals in the final term. Scott Thompson again featured in the best (27 disposals) and reigning Club Champion Richard Douglas wasn’t far behind (21 possessions, two goals). Top vote prediction: Scott Thompson.

Round seven, Adelaide 8.5 (53) lost to Melbourne 22.17 (149) at the MCG.

The Demons demolished Adelaide after half time, kicking 16 goals to three. Young Crow Matthew Jaensch tried tirelessly in defence while forward Kurt Tippett managed three majors and Brent Reilly booted two. Top vote prediction: Jaensch

Round eight, Adelaide 20.10 (130) defeated Gold Coast 9.19 (73) at AAMI Stadium.

Captain Nathan van Berlo notched up 36 possessions in the Club’s first game against new franchise Gold Coast Suns. Scott Thompson wasn’t far behind the skipper with a 34 disposal day. Patrick Dangerfield was also on the end of some big numbers, scoring a season high six goals. Sam Jacobs amassed 33 hit outs as the Crows recovered from an early scare to notch a comfortable win. Top vote prediction: van Berlo

Round nine, Adelaide 14.8 (92) lost to Collingwood 20.15 (135) at Etihad Stadium.

If this game had finished at three quarter time it would’ve been one of the upsets of the year. But Adelaide’s 12-point lead was quickly demolished in the last term by Collingwood’s amazing 11-goal onslaught. Scott Thompson pulled another 30 plus possession game (33 disposals) and Ben Rutten starred down back, keeping Travis Cloke goalless. Kurt Tippett booted three goals. Top vote prediction: Scott Thompson

Round 10, Adelaide 8.13 (61) lost to Brisbane Lions 15.11 (101) at AAMI Stadium.

A 36 possession game from Scott Thompson was not enough to steer the team to victory. Brisbane capitalised on the side’s poor disposal efficiency and decision-making after quarter time and kicked eight of the next 10 goals. Richard Douglas also tried hard, gathering 33 touches, and there was a spread of goalkickers. Top vote prediction: Scott Thompson

Round 11, Adelaide 10.8 (68) lost to North Melbourne 18.7 (115) at Etihad Stadium.

Inaccuracy in front of goal in the second quarter proved costly as the Kangaroos cemented their lead after half time. Kurt Tippett was a shining light in the forward line, managing three majors, and Jack Gunston and Patrick Dangerfield pocketed two each. Graham Johncock was the Crows’ best and collected 25 possessions along the way. Top vote prediction: Johncock

Round 12, Adelaide 10.7 (67) lost to West Coast 15.16 (106) at AAMI Stadium.

The Crows closed to within a couple goals of the Eagles at the final break but failed to fire in the last quarter. Scott Thompson and Graham Johncock, 26 touches each, continued their fine form and Matthew Wright had a good day out and kicked two goals. Kurt Tippett was subbed off early in the game with a shoulder injury. Top vote prediction: Johncock

Round 13, Adelaide 10.10 (70) lost to Western Bulldogs 14.16 (100) at Etihad Stadium.

With both teams in desperate need of a win, it was the Bulldogs who came out on top despite Adelaide jumping to a 22-point quarter time lead. Ricky Henderson and Brad Symes played their best games for the season, each gathering 28 disposals. Scott Thompson led the way picking up 29 possessions and Andy Otten played his best game since returning from a knee injury. Kurt Tippett led the goalkickers’ list with three majors. Top vote prediction: Henderson

Round 14, Adelaide 10.13 (73) lost to Geelong 19.11 (125) at Skilled Stadium.

The game was all but over at the first break as Geelong raced out to a 38-point quarter time advantage. A six goal last term effort by the Crows eased some of the scoreboard pain. Bernie Vince was the Crows’ best, kicking two goals and collecting 34 possessions on the way. Scott Thompson was not far behind on 32 touches and first-gamer Ian Callinan also featured in the best. Top vote prediction: Vince

Round 15, Adelaide 8.9 (57) defeated Sydney 6.14 (50) at AAMI Stadium.

The six game run of losses was finally over after a hard fought win against the resilient Swans. The rain never eased in defender Daniel Talia’s debut and the margin between the sides was never more than three goals. Graham Johncock starred in defence and Kurt Tippett added another three goals. Jared Petrenko brought a much needed spark to the side and Bernie Vince (24 disposals) backed up last week’s solid effort. Top vote prediction: Johncock

Round 17, Essendon 12.12 (84) defeated Adelaide 10.13 (73) at AAMI Stadium.

Adelaide kicked the first five goals of the game and led by 36 points at half-time but was again swamped in the second half, despite a 37-possession game from midfielder Scott Thompson. The Bombers came from six goals down at quarter time and carried the momentum for the rest of the match. Rory Sloane also played a blinder, picking up 29 touches including six tackles and four clearances. Patrick Dangerfield kicked three goals. Top vote prediction: Sloane

Round 18, Adelaide 3.6 (24) lost to St Kilda 19.13 (127) at Etihad Stadium.

It was a Friday night to remember for all the wrong reasons as the Club recorded its lowest ever score. There were few highlights in the match with Scott Thompson (26 touches), Michael Doughty (25 disposals), Jared Petrenko and Sam Jacobs the pick of a poor bunch. Thompson, Patrick Dangerfield and Richard Tambling were the only goal scorers. Top vote prediction: Jacobs

Round 19, Adelaide 16.15 (111) defeated Port Adelaide 11.13 (79) at AAMI Stadium.

Mark Bickley’s first game as caretaker coach was a success as the side stormed home to a Showdown victory. Taylor Walker, returning to the team, booted four goals while skipper Nathan van Berlo (30 possession) was rated best on ground and awarded the Showdown Medal. Top vote prediction: van Berlo

Round 20, Adelaide 16.14 (110) defeated Brisbane 16.9 (105) at the Gabba.

A thrilling fourth quarter comeback resulted in two wins in a row for the Crows. Graham Johncock led the charge with two last term goals after being switched forward and was backed up throughout the match by Taylor Walker (four goals) and Jack Gunston (two goals). In the disposal count, it comes as no surprise that Scott Thompson was the leader with 38 touches and van Berlo was also prominent. Top vote prediction: Scott Thompson

Round 21, Adelaide 12.13 (85) lost to Geelong 14.12 (96) at AAMI Stadium.

The Cats were taken right down to the wire but weren’t able to be caught by the Crows in the final term. Rory Sloane played the best game of his young career taking charge of the midfield, winning eight clearances and amassing 36 possessions. Taylor Walker also had a good game kicking three goals. Chris Knights (33 disposals) and Graham Johncock (28 disposals) were also among the best. Top vote prediction: Sloane

Round 22, Adelaide 18.17 (125) defeated Gold Coast 9.10 (64) at Metricon Stadium.

Scott Thompson’s Club record 51 possessions helped the side overcome the Suns, despite two disappointing terms. Thompson had 18 touches in the first quarter alone. Other big stat winners were Nathan van Berlo (32), Patrick Dangerfield with 10 tackles and Sam Jacobs, with 47 hit outs. Taylor Walker and Kurt Tippett scored four goals each. Top vote prediction: Scott Thompson

Round 23, Adelaide 15.9 (99) defeated by Richmond 17.19 (121) at AAMI Stadium.

Adelaide controlled the first half but he Tigers kicked 10 of the last 14 goals of the game to charge to a 22-point victory. Nathan van Berlo, Bernie Vince, Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Thompson all recorded over 30 possessions each. Jack Gunston starred up forward, booting five goals. Top vote prediction: Vince

Round 24, West Coast 22.13 (145) defeated Adelaide 7.8 (50) at Patersons Stadium.

There was little for Crows fans to smile about in the last game of the season and most players failed to have an impact. However, Scott Thompson was a standout, managing 40 possessions, and Jared Petrenko also finished strongly. Top vote prediction: Scott Thompson