Pocket Profile
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2021 Adelaide Pocket Profile

Adelaide development players sporting the club's new SANFL guernsey - (L to R) Tim Baccanello, Jack Lewis, Hamish Latchford and James Mathews. Picture - AFC Media

SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Crows heading into the 2021 Statewide Super League season.

New SANFL Crows coach Michael Godden gathers his players at training. Picture – AFC Media

Player Movement

Coming
Riley Thilthorpe (West Adelaide), Luke Pedlar (Glenelg), Brayden Cook (South Adelaide), Sam Berry (Gippsland Power), James Rowe (Woodville-West Torrens), James Borlase (Sturt), Tariek Newchurch (North Adelaide), Matt Merrett (returned/Glenelg), Hamish Latchford (returned/Sturt), Zac Bates (Payneham NU/West Adelaide)

Going
Bryce Gibbs (retired/South Adelaide), Patrick Wilson (delisted/Sturt), Riley Knight (delisted/Woodville-West Torrens), Rory Atkins (Gold Coast), Myles Poholke (delisted), Jordan Gallucci (delisted)

2021 Trial Matches

Saturday March 6
Norwood 12.3 (75) d Adelaide 11.5 (71) at Coopers Stadium

Saturday March 20
Woodville-West Torrens v Adelaide at Thebarton Oval – 9.20am (Reserves v PAOC at 12pm)

Friday March 26

Port Adelaide v Adelaide at Alberton Oval – 5pm

Star Signing

Adelaide’s defensive structure is set to benefit from the return of Matt Merrett as a key development player in 2021. Winner of the 2019 Dean Bailey Award as the Crows’ best-performed development player, Merrett spent last season with Glenelg where the 27-year-old played eight League matches after being hindered by injury. Coach Michael Godden has been impressed with the Penola product’s attitude on the training track as he earmarks him for a vital role this season.

 

Former Glenelg defender Matt Merrett (far right) will bolster Adelaide’s SANFL defence. Picture – AFC Media

One to Watch - Powerade Breakthrough Player Candidate

He carries a very famous footballing surname in SA but Hayden Kernahan plays a very different role to Stephen. The former South Adelaide junior from Cove impressed coach Michael Godden playing as a small defender in Adelaide’s narrow trial loss to Norwood, ensuring he’s in the mix to play pending AFL-listed players’ availability. Measuring in at 184cm, the 20-year-old is working on adding muscle to his light frame of just 72kg.

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