Adelaide Football Club

{{Main|History of the Adelaide Football Club}}

File:Performance Chart AFL ADE.svg]]

After the VFL was renamed the AFL for the 1990 season, the SANFL clubs unanimously resolved, in 1990, that a team would not be entered into the AFL until 1992.{{cite news |date=17 August 1990 |title=SANFL tops Port's bid with plan for composite AFL team in 1992 |volume=64 |page=15 |newspaper=The Canberra Times |issue=20,216 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122304892 |access-date=10 January 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}} The AFL refused to accept this, and revised negotiations with individual clubs Port Adelaide and Norwood.{{cite news |date=17 August 1990 |title=OPINION |volume=77 |page=970 |newspaper=Victor Harbor Times |issue=3,853 |location=South Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196363637 |access-date=10 January 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}} Two months later, the Port Adelaide Football Club reached terms of agreement with the AFL to enter a team into its competition in season 1991. The other nine SANFL clubs reacted strongly and entered into litigation in an endeavour to halt Port's bid. As the terms offered were more favourable than previously offered, talks were resumed.{{cite news |date=18 September 1990 |title=SANFL side 'closer' |volume=65 |page=22 |newspaper=The Canberra Times |issue=20,248 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122311621 |access-date=10 January 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}} On 19 September 1990, the AFL approved the bid for a new South Australian club to enter into the league rather than a single existing SANFL club.

The Adelaide Crows played their first season in the AFL in 1991.{{cite web|title=Our History|url=https://crowshistory.afc.com.au/our-history|website=Adelaide Football Club|access-date=9 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110194905/https://crowshistory.afc.com.au/our-history|archive-date=10 November 2023|url-status=live}} Inaugural coach Graham Cornes{{cite web|title=Past senior coaches|url=http://www.afc.com.au/the-club/history/past-crows-senior-coaches|website=Adelaide Football Club|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008015130/http://www.afc.com.au/the-club/history/past-crows-senior-coaches|archive-date=8 October 2014|url-status=dead}} and captain Chris McDermott led Adelaide to a respectable ninth place out of 15 in the league, with 10 wins and 12 losses and a percentage of 89.44.{{cite web|title=Adelaide - Season Summary|url=http://afltables.com/afl/teams/adelaide/season.html|website=AFL Tables|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-date=11 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811223545/http://afltables.com/afl/teams/adelaide/season.html|url-status=live}} Adelaide's first AFL game was against {{AFL Haw}} on Friday 22 March at their then home ground, Football Park. The Crows defeated the eventual premiers by a hefty 86-point margin, winning 24.11 (155) to 9.15 (69).{{cite web|title=Adelaide's first game, 1991|url=http://www.afc.com.au/the-club/history/first-game-1991|website=Adelaide Football Club|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008132349/http://www.afc.com.au/the-club/history/first-game-1991|archive-date=8 October 2014|url-status=dead}}

The 1992 preseason saw Nigel Smart get his feet burned in an infamous firewalking incident (that he had suggested in the first place). Smart was nicknamed "Not So" after the incident.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP91r3AlDwA |title=7 News Adelaide Flashback: Adelaide Crows 1992 - Nigel Smart Walking On Hot Coals |date=2024-10-06 |last=Didz |access-date=2025-07-02 |via=YouTube}} Adelaide would again finish 9th place, this time with 11 wins and 11 losses and a percentage of 101.4.

The club reached its first finals series in the 1993 AFL season, eventually losing to Essendon in the preliminary final.

The year 1997 marked the entry of a second South Australian club, {{AFL PA}}. The Crows finished fourth to qualify for its first finals series since 1993, and hosted fifth-placed {{AFL WC}} in the First Elimination Final. In the first final ever to be played at Football Park, the Crows won 14.15 (99) to 9.12 (66). The next week, Adelaide benefited from the finals system in use at the time and hosted the higher ranked {{AFL Gee}}, who had finished two places above the Crows but were forced to play away due to losing the previous week to {{AFL NM}}. The Crows won narrowly in a controversial match, where a clear forward 50 mark to Geelong's Leigh Colbert during a critical stage of the third quarter was not awarded by field umpire Grant Vernon, with the game concluding with the final scores as Adelaide 11.10 (76) to Geelong's 9.14 (68).{{cite web|title=From the Archives, 1997: Persistent Crows down gallant Cats|date=17 March 2021 |access-date=10 January 2024|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/from-the-archives-1997-persistent-crows-down-gallant-cats-20210317-p57bjj.html|publisher=The Age|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110031631/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/from-the-archives-1997-persistent-crows-down-gallant-cats-20210317-p57bjj.html|archive-date=10 January 2024|url-status=live}} This set up an away Preliminary Final against the {{AFL WB}} at the MCG. Despite losing Coleman Medallist Tony Modra, who had kicked 84 goals for the season, to an ACL injury in the first quarter and trailing by 31 points at half time, the Crows kicked four unanswered goals in the last quarter to record a two-point victory, 12.21 (93) to 13.13 (91). Darren Jarman kicked a goal to put Adelaide in front with less than two minutes remaining, this qualified the Crows for their first AFL Grand Final, to be played against {{AFL StK}} at the MCG a week later.{{cite web|title=From the Archives, 1997: Dogs stumble as Crows soar into the decider|date=30 July 2021 |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/from-the-archives-1997-dogs-stumble-as-crows-soar-into-the-decider-20210730-p58eeq.html|access-date=10 January 2024|publisher=The Age|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714051718/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/from-the-archives-1997-dogs-stumble-as-crows-soar-into-the-decider-20210730-p58eeq.html|archive-date=14 July 2023|url-status=live}}

St Kilda, chasing just their second premiership in VFL/AFL history, were warm favourites to win the Grand Final, having topped the ladder and won both of their finals by margins of 46 and 31 points, respectively, against an Adelaide side without Tony Modra, Mark Ricciuto and goalsneak Peter Vardy due to injury. However, the Crows again overcame a half-time deficit, kicking 14 second-half goals to win by 31 points, 19.11 (125) to 13.16 (94). Darren Jarman kicked six goals, five of which came in the last quarter, whilst utility Shane Ellen kicked a career-best five, while Troy Bond kicked four. Andrew McLeod, who gathered 31 possessions across half-back and in the midfield, won the Norm Smith Medal for the best player on-field in the Grand Final. The win is arguably one of the finest moments in South Australian sporting history.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

Few expected the Crows to successfully defend their premiership the following year. Adelaide often struggled in close matches during the 1998 AFL season; seven of their nine losses were by 13 points or less, compared to only three wins by corresponding margins (they finished the regular season fifth on the ladder, with a record of 13–9). The Crows were well beaten by Melbourne in the qualifying final at the MCG by 48 points, and at the time, looked far from a premiership threat. Since season 2000, a loss in the finals by a team outside the top four would result in instant elimination, but the Crows benefited from a quirk in the McIntyre finals system that was in use during the 90's and still progressed to the second week, drawn to play a semi final against the Sydney Swans at the SCG. The Crows bounced back from their disappointing first finals loss and recorded a comprehensive upset 27-point win against the Swans in the wet, which set up a Preliminary Final rematch against the Western Bulldogs. Despite going into the match as underdogs, the Crows played some of their best football of the year to soundly beat the Dogs by 68 points: 24.17 (161) to 13.15 (93). It was a complete contrast to the thriller that took place the previous year, with Matthew Robran kicking six goals and Andrew McLeod, opposed to renowned tagger Tony Liberatore, booting seven.

Like the previous year, Adelaide went into the Grand Final as underdogs, playing against {{AFL NM}}, who had won the premiership in 1996 and had won eleven consecutive matches leading up to the Grand Final. North Melbourne led by 24 points at half-time, 6.15 (51) to 4.3 (27), with only their inaccurate goalkicking keeping Adelaide in the contest. However, as they had in the previous year, Adelaide dominated the second half to win by 35 points, 15.15 (105) to 8.22 (70), the result making Adelaide the only club during the decade of the 1990s to achieve the feat of winning back-to-back AFL premierships. Darren Jarman kicked five goals, while Andrew McLeod won his second successive Norm Smith Medal, an unprecedented feat. Club legend Mark Ricciuto won the Crows' Club Champion award in 1998. Following a disappointing year in 1999, premiership coach Malcolm Blight resigned from the role, and the Crows entered the new millennium with two premierships under their belt.

The Crows next made the finals in 2001 AFL season, though they lost their opening three matches for the season. Adelaide played fifth-placed {{AFL Car}} at the MCG in the First Elimination Final and were roundly defeated, 17.16 (118) to 6.14 (50). High-profile forward Darren Jarman announced his retirement after the match. Adelaide's impressive 2002 AFL season (in which they achieved a 15–7 win–loss record) came undone at the penultimate stage, losing to Collingwood in the Preliminary Final at the MCG. Ben Hart won his second Malcolm Blight Medal in 2002, with Tyson Edwards finishing runner-up. Brett Burton led the Crows' goalkickers with 51. Hart and Mark Ricciuto were both named as All-Australians. Adelaide then exacted some revenge by defeating Collingwood in the pre-season competition in 2003, the club's first win in that competition. The Crows' impressive 2003 season was eventually halted by the {{AFL BL}} at the Gabba in the semi-finals. That season, Adelaide captain Mark Ricciuto became the first and (as of 2024) only Crow to win the Brownlow Medal for the best and fairest player in the AFL in a three-way tie with Adam Goodes and Nathan Buckley.{{cite web |url=http://www.droppunt.com/brownlow2003.htm |title=Brownlow Medal 2003 - 2003 Brownlow won by Nathan Buckley, Adam Goodes and Mark Ricciuto |publisher=Droppunt.com |access-date=18 August 2012 |archive-date=22 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722092339/http://www.droppunt.com/brownlow2003.htm |url-status=live }} The Crows returned to finals in 2005 and recorded a famous win in what remains the only Showdown match against rivals {{AFL PA}} in the semi-finals. They then lost once more at the penultimate stage (preliminary final), to the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco Oval by 16 points. This was repeated in 2006 when they again lost to West Coast in the preliminary final, this time at home and by an even smaller margin of 10 points.

Adelaide would qualify for finals for each of the remaining seasons in the 2000s, falling short at the elimination or semi-final on each occasion. Collingwood proved to be the biggest hurdle, knocking the Crows out of the finals race successively in 2008 and 2009. Andrew McLeod and Bernie Vince won the club's best and fairest awards in that time.

Adelaide's finals runs in the 2000s

The Crows had their biggest rebrand in the club's history on the eve of the 2010 season, shifting their logo to an entirely new design. Adelaide had a disastrous start to the 2010 season, losing their first six matches of the home and away season. They did recover to some extent in the back half of the year, finishing 11th with nine wins and thirteen losses, the first time under coach Neil Craig that the team did not make the finals. The season marked a turning point, with the likes of McLeod, Simon Goodwin and fellow stars Brett Burton, Tyson Edwards and Trent Hentschel all announcing their retirements during the season.{{cite web|title=Tyson Edwards walks out on Crows|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/crows-tyson-edwards-hangs-up-boots/story-e6frf9jf-1225872192988|last1=Rucci|first1=Michelangelo|last2=AAP|date=27 May 2010|website=Herald Sun|access-date=28 April 2015|archive-date=11 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111004300/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes|url-status=live}} Long-term defender and club stalwart Nathan Bock announced he was leaving the club to join new side {{AFL GC}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/nathan-bock-admits-suns-offer/story-e6frf9jf-1225906104054|title=Nathan Bock confirms Gold Coast move|last=Capel|first=Andrew|date=26 August 2010|website=Herald Sun|access-date=28 April 2015|archive-date=13 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313123057/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/nathan-bock-admits-suns-offer/story-e6frf9jf-1225906104054|url-status=live}} These changes led to a disastrous 2011 campaign, which became the worst season in the club's history to that point. After a 103-point loss to fading champions {{AFL StK}}, the club's longest-serving coach Neil Craig stepped down, handing the reins to assistant coach and former premiership captain Mark Bickley as caretaker for the remainder of the season.{{cite news |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |title=Neil Craig quits as Adelaide Crows coach |url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/neil-craig-quits-as-adelaide-crows-coach-20110725-1hwmh.html |date=25 July 2011 |access-date=25 July 2011}}

Under Bickley the club won three of their next four games, but lost their final two to {{AFL Ric}} and {{AFL WC}}, finishing in 14th place with 7 wins and 15 losses. Scott Thompson won the Malcolm Blight Medal (best and fairest award) for the season. New coach Brenton Sanderson began his era at the club with a pre-season premiership in 2012 and followed up that success with an above-expectations regular season; the Crows finishing 17-5 and never once losing consecutive matches. Adelaide eventually qualified to face minor premiers {{AFL Haw}} at the MCG in the First Preliminary Final. Hawthorn led for most of the match and despite Adelaide taking the lead with five minutes remaining, the Hawks responded to win the match by five points, in yet another heart-breaking finals series loss for the Crows. Adelaide would then fall down the ladder in the following 2013 and 2014 seasons, narrowly missing the top 8 on both occasions. Failing to reach the finals led to Sanderson being sacked at the end of the 2014 season. The club would move its home matches to the newly redeveloped Adelaide Oval at the start of the 2014 season, though to this day the Crows retain their training and administrative headquarters at their old home stadium, Football Park.

At the end of 2012, it was revealed that Adelaide had been found guilty of breaching the salary cap and tampering with the draft. As a sign of cooperation with the AFL, Adelaide forfeited themselves from the first two rounds of the 2012 draft.{{cite web|title='Pragmatic' Crows surrender draft picks|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-21/pragmatic-crows-surrender-early-picks/4384660|website=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017011756/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-21/pragmatic-crows-surrender-early-picks/4384660|archive-date=17 October 2017|date=21 November 2012|url-status=live}} At a hearing at AFL House in Melbourne, both the Adelaide Crows and current CEO at the time, Steven Trigg, were fined $300,000 and $50,000 respectively.{{cite web|title=Tippett, Crows found guilty over salary cap breach|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-30/afl-ruling-kurt-tippett-adelaide-crows/4400256|date=30 November 2012|website=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014034629/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-30/afl-ruling-kurt-tippett-adelaide-crows/4400256|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=live}} The Adelaide Football Club were also suspended from participating in the first two rounds of the 2013 draft.{{cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=Scott|last2=Fjeldstad|first2=Jesper|title=Adelaide Crows lose draft picks, fined $300,000 and Kurt Tippett receives 11-match suspension|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/crows-to-present-united-front-at-afl-commission/news-story/09af5490b4984450d9ebc7821239f983?sv=6c83906bb65318d3ba8bf8ffca769cf9|website=Adelaide Now|publisher=The Advertiser|access-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119214143/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/crows-to-present-united-front-at-afl-commission/news-story/09af5490b4984450d9ebc7821239f983?sv=6c83906bb65318d3ba8bf8ffca769cf9|archive-date=19 November 2018|date=30 November 2012|url-status=live}} It's widely accepted to be the league's biggest salary cap and list management scandal since Carlton in 2002.

In March 2014, over one week prior to the commencement of the new season, assistant coach Dean Bailey died following a short battle with lung cancer.{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/former-melbourne-coach-and-adelaide-assistant-dean-bailey-dies-after-cancer-battle-aged-47/story-fni5f4l8-1226851178334 |title=Former Melbourne coach and Adelaide assistant Dean Bailey dies after cancer battle aged 47 |last1=Rucci |first1=Michelangelo |date=11 March 2011 |website=Herald Sun |publisher=News Ltd |access-date=11 March 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/former-melbourne-coach-dean-bailey-dies-20140311-hvha9.html|title=Former Melbourne coach Dean Bailey dies|date=11 March 2014|access-date=30 March 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-11/dean-bailey-dies-after-cancer-battle/5312114|title=AFL mourns death of Dean Bailey after battle with lung cancer|newspaper=ABC News |date=11 March 2014|access-date=30 March 2022}}

On the eve of the new season, the South Australian Football Commission announced it had struck a deal with the Adelaide Football Club which required the SANFL to transfer its ownership of the Crows' licence to the club, in exchange for payments totalling $11.326 million between 2013 and 2028. The arrangement marked the first time the Adelaide Football Club had independent control of its own administration and came in conjunction with measures designed to solidify the SANFL's control of game development and the sport in South Australia.{{cite web|url=http://sanfl.com.au/sa-football-commission-and-afl-agree-to-transfer-of-crows-and-power-licences/|title=SA Football Commission and AFL agree to transfer of Crows and Power licences|work=sanfl.com.au|date=27 March 2014|access-date=30 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908065037/http://sanfl.com.au/sa-football-commission-and-afl-agree-to-transfer-of-crows-and-power-licences/|archive-date=8 September 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-27/crows2c-port-take-control-of-afl-licences/5349978|work=ABC News|date=27 March 2014|title=Adelaide Crows, Port Adelaide Power handed control of operations by SANFL|access-date=30 April 2017|archive-date=1 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101050118/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-27/crows2c-port-take-control-of-afl-licences/5349978|url-status=live}}

The 2015 season started incredibly successfully for the Adelaide Football Club with a 77-point win over reigning preliminary finalists {{AFL NM}}. Newly appointed coach Phil Walsh oversaw a rapidly improving team that became known for their skilled ball use and ability to grind out wins. During the season, Adelaide was cleared of any wrongdoing by the AFL in the Eddie Betts affair, which became newsworthy following an allegation that Betts's transfer to the Crows from {{AFL Car}} had been illegally signed and approved as much as 18 months prior to his move.{{cite web|title=AFL Statement: Crows cleared|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-05-28/afl-statement-eddie-betts|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=28 May 2015 |access-date=28 May 2015|archive-date=28 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528114701/http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-05-28/afl-statement-eddie-betts|url-status=live}}

File:Phillip Walsh tribute Adelaide Oval.jpg.]]

Tragically, on 3 July, two days prior to Adelaide's then-scheduled round 14 match against {{AFL Gee}}, coach Phil Walsh was stabbed to death by his son at the age of 55 in his Somerton Park home.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-03/phil-walsh-dead-after-domestic-dispute|title=Phil Walsh dead after domestic dispute|first=Harry|last=Thring|publisher=AAP|work=Australian Football League|date=3 July 2015|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=3 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703020250/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-03/phil-walsh-dead-after-domestic-dispute|url-status=live}} His son Cy Walsh would later be found not guilty of murder due to mental incompetence and placed under a lifetime psychiatric supervision licence, ordering that he be detained indefinitely in a secure psychiatric facility.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-28/cy-walsh-found-not-guilty-due-to-mental-incompetence/7884062 |first1=Candice |last1=Prosser |title=Cy Walsh not guilty of murdering Crows coach Phil Walsh due to mental incompetence|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=28 September 2016|access-date=22 March 2020|archive-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003193136/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-28/cy-walsh-found-not-guilty-due-to-mental-incompetence/7884062|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-20/cy-walsh-to-be-detained-in-secure-psychiatric-facility/8134088 |first1=Candice |last1=Prosser |title=Cy Walsh to be detained in secure psychiatric facility|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=20 December 2016|access-date=22 March 2020|archive-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001202513/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-20/cy-walsh-to-be-detained-in-secure-psychiatric-facility/8134088|url-status=live}} The tragedy was followed by an outpouring of sympathy and tributes from the club's fans and the wider AFL community.{{cite web|title=Distraught Crows fans declare #weflyasone with scarves and guernseys tribute|url=http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/07/03/09/58/distraught-players-and-fans-pay-tribute-to-afl-coach-phil-walsh|website=9News|date=3 July 2015|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=4 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704001929/http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/07/03/09/58/distraught-players-and-fans-pay-tribute-to-afl-coach-phil-walsh|url-status=live}} The match against the Cats was cancelled, with both teams receiving two premiership points each.{{cite web|url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/phil-walsh-murdered-afl-confirms-cancellation-of-adelaide-v-geelong-rest-of-round-14-to-go-ahead/story-fnjbnts5-1227426383344|title=Phil Walsh murdered: AFL confirms cancellation of Adelaide v Geelong, rest of Round 14 to go ahead|first=Jon|last=Ralph|publisher=Herald Sun|work=Geelong Advertiser|date=3 July 2015|access-date=2 July 2015|archive-date=3 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703150039/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/phil-walsh-murdered-afl-confirms-cancellation-of-adelaide-v-geelong-rest-of-round-14-to-go-ahead/story-fnjbnts5-1227426383344|url-status=dead }} Adelaide's SANFL team's match against {{SANFL SthA}}, scheduled for the next day, was postponed until later in the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-07-03/no-games-for-crows|title=No games for Crows|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=3 July 2015|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033814/https://www.afc.com.au/news/438537/no-games-for-crows|url-status=live}}

On 6 July, assistant coach Scott Camporeale was appointed interim coach for the remainder of the season, while {{AFL WC}} premiership coach John Worsfold was hired as coaching director to support Camporeale.{{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-07-06/camporeale-to-coach-worsfold-joins-nest|title=Camporeale to coach, Worsfold joins nest|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=6 July 2015|access-date=6 July 2015|archive-date=7 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707003130/http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-07-06/camporeale-to-coach-worsfold-joins-nest|url-status=live}} Inspiringly, the team rebounded to win six of their next seven games and qualify for the 2015 finals series, where they defeated the Western Bulldogs by seven points in a thrilling elimination final at the MCG. Their season ended when they lost to eventual premiers {{AFL Haw}} the next week.{{Cite web |date=2015-09-18 |title=Hawthorn defeat Adelaide Crows in AFL semi-final – as it happened |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/live/2015/sep/18/hawthorn-v-adelaide-crows-afl-semi-final-live |access-date=2022-07-25 |first=Russell |last=Jackson |website=The Guardian |language=en}}

Star midfielder for many years Patrick Dangerfield left the club at the end of the 2015 season (a season in which he won the club's best and fairest) and Don Pyke, a former premiership player and assistant coach with {{AFL WC}} who had also been an assistant coach at Adelaide from 2005 to 2006, was appointed Adelaide's senior coach for at least three years.{{cite web|title=Pyke named new Crows coach|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-10-09/pyke-named-new-crows-coach|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=9 October 2015 |publisher=Adelaide Crows|access-date=9 October 2015|archive-date=11 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011204919/http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-10-09/pyke-named-new-crows-coach|url-status=live}} Adelaide was widely tipped to slide out of the finals in 2016{{cite web|title=Crystal ball: AFL.com.au's predictions for 2016|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-24/crystal-ball-predictions-for-2016|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League|access-date=8 June 2016|archive-date=17 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617201009/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-24/crystal-ball-predictions-for-2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Adelaide 2016 preview: Can the Crows cover loss of Patrick Dangerfield?|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/adelaide-2016-preview-can-the-crows-cover-loss-of-patrick-dangerfield/news-story/a68875ba330c9e8c89962cddc468c24b|website=FoxSports.com.au|publisher=Fox Sports|first1=Tom|last1=Morris|date=29 February 2016 |access-date=8 June 2016|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033812/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/adelaide-2016-preview-can-the-crows-cover-loss-of-patrick-dangerfield/news-story/a68875ba330c9e8c89962cddc468c24b|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Adelaide Crows: 2016 AFL season preview|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/02/02/adelaide-crows-2016-afl-season-preview/|website=TheRoar.com.au|publisher=The Roar|first1=Nick|last1=Croker|access-date=8 June 2016|archive-date=20 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420123441/http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/02/02/adelaide-crows-2016-afl-season-preview/|url-status=live}} but the Crows proved to be one of the successes of the season, comfortably qualifying for a home elimination final and defeating {{AFL NM}} by 62 points, before being eliminated the next week by eventual beaten grand finalists, {{AFL Syd}} in the semi-finals. The club had a dominant 2017 season, winning their opening six games and never falling below second place for the entire season. Adelaide claimed their second McClelland Trophy as minor premiers.{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/AFL/comments/6w555g/adelaide_are_the_2017_afl_minor_premiers/|title=Adelaide are the 2017 AFL Minor Premiers|date=30 August 2017|work=Reddit AFL|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033812/https://www.reddit.com/r/AFL/comments/6w555g/adelaide_are_the_2017_afl_minor_premiers/|url-status=live}} The Adelaide Crows entered the 2017 finals series as favourites for the premiership; they defeated {{AFL GWS}} and {{AFL Gee}} by 36 and 61 points respectively to qualify for the Grand Final, their first since 1998, where they faced {{AFL Ric}}. Despite starting as rampaging hot favourites, the Crows lost the match by 48 points and finished runners-up for the first time in their history.{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/afl-2017-grand-final-adelaide-crows-versus-richmond-at-mcg/news-story/16529aecde4e830400fc479d775a0474|title=AFL 2017 Grand Final: Dejected Crows fans start long trip home|website=Adelaide Now|last1=Iannela|first1=Antimo|last2=Smith|first2=Matt|date=September 30, 2017|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033814/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/afl-2017-grand-final-adelaide-crows-versus-richmond-at-mcg/news-story/16529aecde4e830400fc479d775a0474?nk=53656f554646ba705d56f10781fb94dc-1630467494|url-status=live}}

The club struggled to replicate its 2017 form in the 2018 AFL season. Prior to the season, Adelaide players went on a controversial pre-season camp that led to a decline in morale among the club's players.{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/inside-the-camp-that-brought-down-the-adelaide-crows-20200630-p557od.html|title=Inside the camp that brought down the Adelaide Crows|newspaper=The Age|last1=McClure|first1=Sam|date=July 4, 2020|access-date=July 4, 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916084949/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/inside-the-camp-that-brought-down-the-adelaide-crows-20200630-p557od.html|url-status=live}} Adelaide struggled with injuries during the year, including Captain Taylor Walker, Rory Sloane, Brad Crouch, Tom Lynch, Rory Laird, and Richard Douglas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/mid-season-report-card-injuries-cut-down-crows-20180612-p4zl09.html|title=Mid-season report card: Injuries cut down Crows|last=Gleeson|first=Michael|date=2018-06-12|website=The Age|language=en|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613031157/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/mid-season-report-card-injuries-cut-down-crows-20180612-p4zl09.html|url-status=live}} Combined with the loss of Cameron and Lever, the Crows struggled throughout the year but held on to win twelve games, including against 2017 Premiers {{AFL Ric}} and soon-to-be 2018 Premiers West Coast. The club finished 12th on the ladder with 12 wins, 10 losses, and a percentage of 104.1, and below crosstown rivals Port Adelaide who finished 10th, but with 3.5 more percentage points. This put Adelaide out of the finals for the first time since 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/collective-mind-deflects-blame-for-the-adelaide-crows-poor-2018-season/news-story/1c3e62370ad41e7b6108fcb45a444b67|title=Collective Mind deflects blame for the Adelaide Crows' poor 2018 season|publisher=Fox Sports Australia|date=27 August 2018|access-date=28 August 2018|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033813/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/collective-mind-deflects-blame-for-the-adelaide-crows-poor-2018-season/news-story/1c3e62370ad41e7b6108fcb45a444b67|url-status=live}} One highlight towards the end of the year was Rory Sloane who, despite rumours of a trade home to Victoria, signed a five-year contract and went on to play out his time as a one-club player.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/rory-sloane-signs-a-new-fiveyear-deal-with-adelaide-until-the-end-of-2023/news-story/14131dc7b4ac77de561116d9af02e28b|title=Rory Sloane signs new contract with Adelaide {{!}} AFL Trade and Free Agency|date=2018-07-11|website=Fox Sports|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033831/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/rory-sloane-signs-a-new-fiveyear-deal-with-adelaide-until-the-end-of-2023/news-story/14131dc7b4ac77de561116d9af02e28b|url-status=live}}

There were lofty aspirations going into 2019, with many expecting them to play finals or even in the premiership.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/03/20/2019-afl-season-preview-adelaide-crows/|title=Why Adelaide will go straight back to the top in 2019|website=The Roar|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=20 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320121330/https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/03/20/2019-afl-season-preview-adelaide-crows/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/2019-03-19/match-preview-adelaide-v-hawthorn|title=Match preview: Adelaide v Hawthorn|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=19 March 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401171856/https://www.afc.com.au/news/2019-03-19/match-preview-adelaide-v-hawthorn|url-status=live}} Despite fewer injuries, the club failed to meet these lofty expectations of finals, finishing 11th with 10 wins, 12 losses, and 100.9 percentage points. There was much media coverage given to the team throughout the season, with concerns raised about player retention and the coaching staff, especially with players like Bryce Gibbs, Josh Jenkins, and Eddie Betts dropped on and off throughout the season due to issues of form.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/adelaide-key-forward-josh-jenkins-says-he-wants-to-stay-at-the-crows-despite-tough-2019/news-story/bf537ea489c2659422472b9d4e3d1733|title=Josh Jenkins, Josh Jenkins dropped, Adelaide Crows 2019, Adelaide v Collingwood, AFL trade whispers|date=2019-08-15|website=Fox Sports|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033813/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/adelaide-key-forward-josh-jenkins-says-he-wants-to-stay-at-the-crows-despite-tough-2019/news-story/bf537ea489c2659422472b9d4e3d1733|url-status=live}} Following the end of their season, the club began an external review of their football operations, with many musing about the future of players and coaching staff.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2019-one-survey-question-has-adelaide-players-fearing-club-could-move-on-coach-don-pyke/news-story/06b073eda4a80dae513fe7573c1b8b43|title=AFL 2019: Fears Don Pyke could be sacked, Adelaide Crows external review, survey question|date=2019-09-02|website=Fox Sports|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033814/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2019-one-survey-question-has-adelaide-players-fearing-club-could-move-on-coach-don-pyke/news-story/06b073eda4a80dae513fe7573c1b8b43|url-status=live}} Prior to the conclusion of the review, co-captain Taylor Walker resigned his captaincy after four years to focus on his football and family.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-09-04/skipper-no-more-tex-stands-down-as-crows-captain|title=Skipper no more: Tex stands down as Crows captain|website=afl.com.au|date=4 September 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033818/https://www.afl.com.au/news/122414/skipper-no-more-tex-stands-down-as-crows-captain|url-status=live}} A week later, Coach Don Pyke stepped down, a decision unrelated to the reviews that were occurring.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/2019-09-12/pyke-to-step-down-as-senior-coach|title=Don Pyke to step down as Senior Coach|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=12 September 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-13|archive-date=13 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913020120/https://www.afc.com.au/news/2019-09-12/pyke-to-step-down-as-senior-coach|url-status=live}}

{{Main|2018 Adelaide Crows pre-season camp}}

The 2018 Adelaide Crows pre-season camp was a summer camp undertaken by players of the Adelaide Football Club from 29 January to 2 February in the lead-up to the 2018 AFL season.{{cite web |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/adelaide-director-hopes-betts-is-moving-on-from-camp-experience-20220803-p5b6tc.html|title=Ex-players shocked by Betts' experience, AFLPA believes players were 'pressured' to stay silent |date=3 August 2022 |publisher=The Age|access-date=3 August 2022}}

In Eddie Betts' biography, he released details of what happened at the camp. These revelations caused many to question what had been said to that point regarding the camp.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-03/eddie-betts-new-book-details-controversial-crows-camp/101295408|title=Adelaide Crows apologise to former AFL star Eddie Betts following new book airing claims about preseason training camp |newspaper=ABC News |date=3 August 2022 |access-date=3 August 2022}}

Following the release of Eddie Betts biography, Josh Jenkins released a statement with further details from the camp. His opposition to aspects of the camp led to him being ostracised and was the reason he left the club.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-05/josh-jenkins-speaks-out-about-adelaide-crows-camp/101306228 |title=Former Adelaide Crow Josh Jenkins speaks out about controversial camp days after Eddie Betts's book release |publisher=ABC|access-date=3 August 2022}}

Former Port Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney assistant coach Matthew Nicks was appointed as Adelaide's senior coach on 15 October 2019, replacing the outgoing Pyke. Under new coach Nicks, the Crows lost the first 13 matches of the coronavirus-affected 2020 AFL season and ultimately claimed their first wooden spoon in club history. However, the Crows' disastrous season did end with some optimism, as the Crows broke the drought in round 15 against {{AFL Haw}} and won three matches in a row towards the season's conclusion. The Crows received their highest-ever draft pick at the 2020 AFL draft, used to draft Riley Thilthorpe.{{cite web | url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/842086/pick-2-riley-thilthorpe | title=Pick 2: Riley Thilthorpe | date=9 December 2020 }}

The Crows won their first game of the 2021 AFL season, beating the reigning Grand Finalists Geelong in an upset victory. The Crows improved slightly over their disastrous 2020 campaign, losing only one of their first four games.{{cite web | url=https://www.zerohanger.com/afl/2021-afl-ladder/ | title=2021 AFL Ladder | date=16 August 2023 }} Walker was banned from the AFL for six games between the 2021 and 2022 AFL seasons due to racist comments directed towards Robbie Young of {{SANFL NA}} during a SANFL match.{{cite web|website=ABC News|date=6 August 2021|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-06/adelaide-crows-taylor-walker-banned-by-afl-for-six-games/100355276|title=Adelaide Crows forward Taylor Walker suspended by AFL for six matches over racist comment|first1=Daniel|last1=Keane|first2=Matthew|last2=Smith|language=en}} After requesting a move home to South Australia and subsequently nominating the Crows, high-value Sydney wingman Jordan Dawson was traded to Adelaide in the 2021 trade period.{{cite web | url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1025111/swans-finalise-trade-deal-for-jordan-dawson | title=Swans finalise trade deal for Jordan Dawson | date=13 October 2021 }} The trade would prove influential in Adelaide's rise out of the bottom four in 2022.

File:Matthew Nicks, Ade vs. GWS 2022 (52396645580) (cropped).jpg coaching in 2022.]]

The Crows hosted the first-ever Friday night Showdown in Round 3, and claimed one of their best-ever wins via an after-the-siren bending kick from the recruit Dawson, who received best-on-ground honours.{{cite web | url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1092152/showdown-medal-voting | title=Showdown Medal voting | date=April 2022 }} Captain Rory Sloane ruptured his ACL in round 5.{{cite web | url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1105707/injury-update-rory-sloane | title=Injury Update: Rory Sloane | date=17 April 2022 }} In his absence, the role of captain rotated between Reilly O'Brien, Ben Keays, Brodie Smith, and Tom Doedee for the remainder of the season.{{cite web | url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1107519/crows-to-share-captaincy#:~:text=Adelaide's%20senior%20leadership%20group%20will,the%20Western%20Bulldogs%20this%20weekend | title=Crows to share captaincy | date=20 April 2022 }} Adelaide traded in Izak Rankine at a high price, leaving them no first-round draft picks in the 2022 AFL draft until they matched the bid for Max Michalanney, son of Jim as the club's first father–son pick.{{cite web|title=Crows' draft historic father–son pick|url=https://indaily.com.au/news/2022/11/29/crows-draft-historic-father-son-pick/|website=InDaily|date=November 29, 2022}}

The Crows headlined the first-ever Gather Round,{{cite web|title=Inside Gather Round: A Festival of Footy|url=https://www.afl.com.au/gather-round|access-date=28 August 2023|website=AFL.com.au}} as they had a return to form, defeating multiple top-eight teams. Some controversial finishes, including one in round 23 against {{AFL Syd}}, when a Ben Keays goal was mistakenly disallowed, cost the Crows their first AFL finals series in seven years.{{cite web|first=Riley|last=Beveridge|title=Meet ARC: AFL's new review hub gets 'extreme' makeover for finals|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/37686/meet-arc-afls-new-review-hub-gets-extreme-makeover-for-finals|website=AFL.com.au|date=3 September 2019 }}{{cite web|first1=Peter|last1=Ryan|first2=Andrew|last2=Wu|first3=Roy|last3=Ward|title='Inexplicable': McLachlan admits goal umpiring blunder but defends review system|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/worst-nightmare-possible-afl-umpire-error-might-have-cost-crows-a-finals-spot-20230819-p5dxvm.html|website=theage.com|publisher=The Age|date=20 August 2023}} Adelaide finished 2023 in 10th on the ladder, their best position since 2017, in part due to the leadership of their new captain Jordan Dawson. Despite high expectations,{{cite web|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/01/25/josh-jenkins-extended-2024-ladder-prediction-6-to-1/|website=sen.com.au|publisher=SEN 1116|title=Josh Jenkins' extended 2024 ladder prediction - 6 to 1|first=Josh|last=Jenkins|date=25 January 2024}} 2024 was another disappointing year for the club,{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1100509/well-never-give-up-matthew-nicks-remains-bullish-on-winless-adelaide-crows|title='We'll never give up': Nicks remains bullish on winless Crows|first=Riley|last=Beveridge|website=afl.com.au|date=4 April 2024|location=Adelaide Oval}} with a lack of on-field performance resulting in questions being raised around Nicks' coaching,{{cite web|title='Career on a knife's edge': Coach in strife as Crows higher-ups 'must ask themselves the question'|publisher=Fox Footy|date=12 June 2024|first=Will|last=Faulkner|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/career-on-a-knifes-edge-coach-in-strife-as-crows-higherups-must-ask-themselves-the-question/news-story/5c5f853a0c3c0f41192d9ce4a8f98f6f}} particularly amid the choice to drop young forward Josh Rachele.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/adelaide-crows/afl-2024-matthew-nicks-reveals-why-josh-rachele-was-dropped-team-selection-for-adelaide-game-against-sydney-latest-news/news-story/61c2a0c175c7bd7be6ca0acd5fc6a34e|first=Ben|last=Cotton|publisher=Fox Footy|title='I'll always have Josh's back': Nicks opens up on Rachele's surprise axing|date=23 August 2024|access-date=26 August 2024}}

Adelaide currently has three guernsey designs which are used in different matches throughout the season. The club's guernseys are currently supplied by Irish sportswear company O'Neills.{{Cite web|title=Crows partner with O'Neills|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/833236/crows-partner-with-o-neills|access-date=2020-11-05|website=www.afc.com.au|date=2 November 2020 |archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104171541/https://www.afc.com.au/news/833236/crows-partner-with-o-neills|url-status=live}}

File:Adelaide FC Masoct.jpg

The home guernsey features navy blue, red and gold hoops.{{Cite web |title=FootyJumpers - Adelaide |url=http://footyjumpers.com/images/Adelaide-2017.gif |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821131319/http://footyjumpers.com/images/Adelaide-2017.gif |archive-date=21 August 2017 |access-date=31 May 2017}} It is worn at all matches designated as home games for the club as well as in selected away games (currently only Geelong, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, and Sydney). The jumper is worn with navy shorts at all home and away games, except for away Showdowns, where it is paired with white shorts. It has had only minor variations through its history since debuting with the club in 1991, including adding a white outline to the numbers from 1996 to 2020 which has now been removed since the start of the 2021 season, and the removal of yellow cuffs and addition of navy blue panels down the sides (due to manufacturers template design) in 2006. In 2009 the yellow cuffs and full hoops returned. In 2010 the hoops were cut off again at the sides. For 2016, the club removed the side panels, returning to the full hoops of the original design. The original base design/idea has never changed in the club's 30-year history.{{Cite web |url=http://footyjumpers.com/adelaidehome.htm |title=Adelaide Home Jumpers |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=29 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529121027/http://www.footyjumpers.com/adelaidehome.htm |url-status=live }}

Adelaide's clash guernseys have historically used red or yellow bases, so that it will not clash with other team's guernseys in cases where the blue-based home guernsey is not appropriate. 2025's clash guernsey is predominantly red with singular yellow and blue stripes across the middle. Paired with white shorts, the clash guernsey features the club's new logo across the chest with a yellow outline.

The club's Indigenous guernsey has been a rotating design since it was first introduced in during the 2013 season vs. North Melbourne.{{Cite web|title=Own the Indigenous Round guernsey|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/14175/own-the-indigenous-round-guernsey|access-date=2021-10-18|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=27 May 2013 |language=en}} The first iteration of the Adelaide Indigenous guernsey was a simple swap from Navy to Black, representing the colours in the Australian Aboriginal flag. Since 2014 however, they guernsey has featured art on a navy base from a wide number of indigenous artists and past players, such as Andrew McLeod and Ben Davis. The 2023 edition of these guernseys was the first to be shared between the women's and the men's teams.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1321617/crows-unveil-2023-indigenous-guernsey|title=Crows unveil 2023 Indigenous Guernsey|date=2 May 2023|website=Adelaide Football Club}} The most recent of these was designed by Izak Rankine and his cousin Harley Hall, celebrating their shared Ngarrindjeri heritage. It was revealed in March 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1505853/crows-unveil-2024-indigenous-guernsey|title=Crows unveil 2024 Indigenous Guernsey|first=Natasha|last=Wade|date=16 March 2024}}

The club wore their first commemorative ANZAC guernsey in 2024. The guernsey features the chevrons of the sergeant rank insignia of the Australian Army, and a soldier with a bugle. It marks a new design trend not before seen in Adelaide's guernseys, with chevrons used rather than the traditional hoops, and the use of a gradient.{{cite web|website=Crowmania|title=Pre Order - Adelaide Crows Authentic Anzac Guernsey 2024|url=https://shop.afc.com.au/pre-order-adelaide-crows-authentic-anzac-guernsey-2024/|access-date=18 April 2024}} The guernsey was worn in round 7 against {{AFL NM}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1532099/crows-unveil-first-anzac-guernsey|date=16 April 2024|website=Adelaide Football Club|title=Crows unveil first Anzac Guernsey}} The proceeds of the auctioned player-issue guernseys will be donated to the RSL.

In previous seasons, the Crows have had variations of alternate guernseys.

The club briefly used an alternate design in the pre-season competition. It was still in the club colours, but featured the club logo prominently on the front and continuing over onto the back.{{cite web|title=Adelaide Pre-Season Jumpers|url=http://footyjumpers.com/adelaidePS.htm|website=FootyJumpers.com|access-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908064940/http://footyjumpers.com/adelaidePS.htm|archive-date=8 September 2017|url-status=live}} This design would go on to inspire multiple clash guernseys and the Gather Round guernsey.

The away guernsey was originally intended for use in all matches designated as away games, except finals. The design had changed several times over the years since it was first used in 1999.{{cite web|title=Adelaide Away Jumpers|url=http://footyjumpers.com/adelaideaway.htm|website=FootyJumpers.com|access-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908065833/http://footyjumpers.com/adelaideaway.htm|archive-date=8 September 2017|url-status=live}} From 2006 the red was removed from the top of the guernsey, moving it closer to the home guernsey. Its usage had waned since the introduction of the "clash" guernsey, to the point where it was only used twice in 2007, against the Western Bulldogs in round 2 and Collingwood in round 22. In a few away matches that year, the club also continued to use the traditional "home" guernsey, something which had rarely been done since the away strip was introduced. In response to this, a new away guernsey was introduced in 2008 featuring more red and yellow with a flying crow on the front – similar in design to the mid-90s pre-season jumper.

The clash guernsey was first introduced for season 2006 and was radically different from the "home" and "away" designs at the time. It was worn at all away games where the AFL deemed there to be a clash with the home team's guernsey design. Initially, the only clubs officially on the "clash list" were Carlton, Essendon, Fremantle, Melbourne and Richmond. Despite this, the AFL forced the club to wear it against other teams, such as Hawthorn and St Kilda in 2007, West Coast in 2008 and the Brisbane Lions in 2008 and 2009. Eventually, the clash jumper was required to be worn in nearly all away games.

The first clash guernsey was red, and was worn from 2006 to 2009. The club first adopted a white clash guernsey in 2010. It featured the club logo on the front with stylised curves in club colours on the front and back with navy stripes down the sides. The design continued to be changed a number of times over the years, but remained predominantly white until the end of the 2020 season.{{Cite web |title=Adelaide Away Jumpers |url=http://www.footyjumpers.com/adelaideaway.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731204653/http://footyjumpers.com/adelaideaway.htm |archive-date=31 July 2020 |access-date=7 February 2021}}

There were yellow and red clash guernseys for 2021, before solely moving to the red guernsey for 2022 and 2023.{{Cite web |title=Adelaide Away Jumpers |url=https://www.footyjumpers.com/adelaideaway.htm |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=www.footyjumpers.com}} These designs were similar to the alternative guernsey used from 2016 to 2017.

In 2024, Adelaide wore a retro-style design for their clash guernsey. It features the flying crow found on the club's old logo. The crow is in blue, the above background yellow and the below background red.{{cite web|url=https://www.theaflstore.com.au/products/adel-onf24-mens-clash-gsy#:~:text=Introducing%20the%20latest%202024%20Adelaide,sweat%20absorption%20and%20faster%20evaporation.|title=Adelaide Crows 2024 Authentic Mens Clash Guernsey|access-date=8 February 2024|website=AFL Store}} The design derives from the 1996 preseason design, also found in the club's away guernsey from 2008 to 2009.{{cite web|url=https://crowshistory.afc.com.au/jumpers-year-by-year-afl|title=Adelaide Jumpers (AFL)|website=Adelaide Football Club - Crows History Locker|access-date=8 February 2024}} A key factor behind this change is the popularity for the club's Gather Round guernsey, which debuted in 2023 and featured the same crow design in a "stealth" style.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1305252/crows-unveil-bespoke-guernsey-for-gather-round|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=11 April 2023|title=Crows unveil bespoke guernsey for Gather Round}}

The alternative guernsey, worn in 2016 and 2017 was the same design as the white clash guernsey of the time, but with a gold base.{{Cite web |title=FootyJumpers - Adelaide |url=http://footyjumpers.com/images/Adelaide-Alt-2017.gif |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821125704/http://footyjumpers.com/images/Adelaide-Alt-2017.gif |archive-date=21 August 2017 |access-date=31 May 2017}} It was worn in away games in which it provided a greater contrast with the home team than either the home or white clash guernseys. Those teams were North Melbourne, Carlton, Fremantle and Western Bulldogs football clubs. It was always worn with white shorts.

During the mid-2000s, the Crows adopted three different guernsey designs to wear during the AFL's Heritage Round. The 2004 iteration featured the tri-colour home guernsey but with the AFC crest on the chest and removal of white stroke to the numbers. All heritage guernseys featured each player's name and debut number above the manufacturer's jock tag. Controversially during the 2005 heritage round, the Crows wore an adaptation of a 1930s South Australian state guernsey, with the AFC monogram replacing the SA monogram, which prompted outrage from Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams.{{Cite news|date=2005-06-15|title=Crows' heritage guernsey raises Power's hackles|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-06-16/crows-heritage-guernsey-raises-powers-hackles/1593748|access-date=2021-10-18}} The club returned to a similar home design for the 2006 and 2007 Heritage Rounds, with the left panel of the guernsey featuring the colours of all SANFL clubs, before the Heritage Round was scrapped by the AFL.

The club song of the Adelaide Football Club is "The Pride of South Australia", and is sung to the tune of US Marines Hymn.{{Cite web |title=Club song gets Noble treatment|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/711559/club-song-gets-noble-treatment |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Adelaide Football Club|date=7 April 2014 }} The lyrics to "The Pride of South Australia" were written by the inaugural CEO Bill Sanders.{{Cite AV media|date=July 22, 2018|title=Bill Sanders: The Club Song|url=https://www.afc.com.au/video/401596/bill-sanders-the-club-song?videoId=401596&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1532246400001}}

The first club song, and the song used in the club's inaugural AFL game and victory against Hawthorn, was "Here We Go Camry Crows".{{Cite web |title=Behind the photo: the Camry Crows theme song|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1026674/behind-the-photo-the-camry-crows-theme-song |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Adelaide Football Club|date=21 October 2021 }}

File:Adelaide Football Club facility, West Lakes.png

Since inception in late 1990, Adelaide's training and administrative facilities have been located at Football Park in West Lakes. The club held their first training session at the ground on 29 October 1990.{{cite web|url=https://crowshistory.afc.com.au/adelaide-first-afl-training|title=Adelaide: first AFL training|work=Crows History}} Initially the club's offices were restricted to small space under the SANFL members' grandstand, before being moved to a new brick building at the southern end of the stadium in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995 a $2.3 million player and training facility was constructed behind the eastern grandstands, featuring several sports training facilities described at the time as “the best in the league”.{{cite web|url=https://crowshistory.afc.com.au/facilities-timeline|title=Facilities timeline|work=Crows History}} Additional offices were constructed at the northern end of the ground, and a $21 million renovation was concluded in 2009, which featured a 2500sq metre “Shed” for gatherings of fans and members, and upgrades to the indoor training and administrative facilities. When Football Park stopped hosting premiership matches at the end of the 2013 season, the grandstands were progressively torn down and the club's game-day facilities were merged with the administration offices, whilst the general public were granted access to the oval outside of Crows' training sessions.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-29/football-park-to-be-opened-to-the-dogs/9811334|title=Crows training sessions to need 'poo patrol' once Football Park is opened to the dogs|author=Malcolm Sutton|date=29 May 2018|work=ABC News}}

In 2024, following prolonged negotiations with the local council and SANFL, the Adelaide Football Club announced it would move its training and administrative headquarters to an upgraded Thebarton Oval, which will feature a 150m, two-storey wrap-around building and upgraded grandstands and new facilities for the club's AFL, AFLW and SANFL teams.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1605044/adelaide-unveils-final-design-of-new-facility|title=Adelaide unveils final design of new facility|work=Adelaide Football Club|date=24 June 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1590524/new-facility-update|title=New Facility Update|work=Adelaide Football Club|date=1 July 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.indaily.com.au/news/2024/06/04/crows-win-planning-approval-for-100m-thebarton-move|work=In Daily|date=4 June 2024|title=Crows win planning approval for $100m Thebarton move|author=Thomas Kelsall}}

{{Adelaide Football Club current squad}}

File:Adelaide AFLW.3.jpg

The Adelaide AFLW team is the club's women's team in the AFL Women's league. A founding member of the AFLW, the football club launched a bid to enter a team in the 2017 AFL Women's season in April 2016.{{cite news|last1=Burtenshaw|first1=David|title=Women's bid lodged with AFL|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2016-04-29/womens-bid-lodged-with-afl|access-date=19 November 2016|work=Adelaide FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=29 April 2016|archive-date=19 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119182235/http://www.afc.com.au/news/2016-04-29/womens-bid-lodged-with-afl|url-status=live}} The bid was constructed in partnership with AFL Northern Territory, with the club to share resources and facilities between its Adelaide base and AFLNT's Darwin location. The bid became a success in June of that year when the league announced they had been awarded one of eight inaugural licences.{{cite news|last1=Matthews|first1=Bruce|title=Eight teams named for inaugural women's league|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-15/eight-teams-named-for-inaugural-womens-league|access-date=19 November 2016|work=AFL Media|publisher=Bigpond|date=15 June 2016|archive-date=16 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616181119/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-15/eight-teams-named-for-inaugural-womens-league|url-status=live}}

Under inaugural coach Bec Goddard,{{cite news|title=Goddard to coach women's team|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2016-08-24/goddard-to-coach-womens-team|access-date=19 November 2016|work=Adelaide FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=25 August 2016|archive-date=19 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119182316/http://www.afc.com.au/news/2016-08-24/goddard-to-coach-womens-team|url-status=live}} the team won the first ever AFLW premiership in 2017.{{cite web|last1=Matthews|first1=Bruce|title=Match report: Crows soar to flag in thriller - AFL.com.au|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-25/match-report-aflw-grand-final|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=BigPond|access-date=25 March 2017|date=25 March 2017|archive-date=25 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325074502/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-25/match-report-aflw-grand-final|url-status=live}} The season was also a highlight for individual success, with co-captain Erin Phillips winning the league most valuable player{{cite web|title=Phillips claims inaugural AFLW Players' MVP Award|url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/phillips-crowned-inaugural-aflw-players-mvp-award-2/|website=AFL Players Association|access-date=27 March 2017|date=27 March 2017|archive-date=27 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327171634/http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/phillips-crowned-inaugural-aflw-players-mvp-award-2/|url-status=live}} and best on ground in the grand final. Missing the finals in 2018, Goddard quit as coach{{cite news|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-crows-coach-bec-goddard-quits-but-adelaide-is-hopeful-it-can-still-work-with-her/news-story/2a3860b297774762a6abf50b6cf26b6f|title=AFLW Crows coach Bec Goddard quits, but Adelaide is hopeful it can still work with her|last=Fjeldstad|first=Jesper|date=13 April 2018|work=The Advertiser|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=7 September 2019|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404162401/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-crows-coach-bec-goddard-quits-but-adelaide-is-hopeful-it-can-still-work-with-her/news-story/2a3860b297774762a6abf50b6cf26b6f|url-status=live}} and was replaced by Matthew Clarke for the 2019 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/adelaide-appoint-matthew-clarke-as-new-aflw-coach/news-story/59f11c3e9d3425e4c89d75c3366a13bd|title=Adelaide appoint Matthew Clarke as new AFLW coach|last=Balmer|first=Matt|date=23 May 2018|work=Fox Sports Australia|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629124105/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/adelaide-appoint-matthew-clarke-as-new-aflw-coach/news-story/59f11c3e9d3425e4c89d75c3366a13bd|url-status=live}} Winning six out of the seven home-and-away games, the club returned to finals and won its second premiership with a 45-point win against {{AFLW|Car}}. Erin Phillips repeated her individual success by winning the league MVP for the second time{{cite web|last1=Navaratnam|first1=Dinny|title=Erin Phillips caps super season with AFLW best and fairest - AFL.com.au|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-28/erin-phillips-caps-super-season-with-aflw-best-and-fairest|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=BigPond|access-date=28 March 2017|date=28 March 2017|archive-date=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330220555/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-28/erin-phillips-caps-super-season-with-aflw-best-and-fairest|url-status=live}} and the grand final best on ground despite leaving the ground injured in the third quarter.{{cite news|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/aflw/erin-phillips-suffers-heartbreaking-acl-injury-during-adelaides-dominant-aflw-grand-final-win-ng-b881153174z|title=Erin Phillips suffers heartbreaking ACL injury during Adelaide's dominant AFLW grand final win|date=31 March 2018|work=The West Australian|publisher=Seven West Media|access-date=7 September 2019|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401121940/https://thewest.com.au/sport/aflw/erin-phillips-suffers-heartbreaking-acl-injury-during-adelaides-dominant-aflw-grand-final-win-ng-b881153174z|url-status=live}} It was announced in August 2019 that the partnership between Adelaide and AFLNT would not continue.{{cite news|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/after-three-seasons-and-two-premierships-the-crows-afl-team-and-aflnt-have-mutually-decided-to-part-ways/news-story/7b3bfcc880a715a82e604d130be72002|title=After three seasons and two premierships, the Crows AFL team and AFLNT have mutually decided to part ways|last=Walsh|first=Liz|date=9 August 2019|work=The Advertiser|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=7 September 2019|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033823/https://insight.adsrvr.org/track/up?adv=vrges6n&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%2Fsubscribe%2Fnews%2F1%2F%3FsourceCode%3DAAWEB_WRE170_a%26dest%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%252Fsport%252Fafl%252Faflw%252Fafter-three-seasons-and-two-premierships-the-crows-afl-team-and-aflnt-have-mutually-decided-to-part-ways%252Fnews-story%252F7b3bfcc880a715a82e604d130be72002%26memtype%3Danonymous%26mode%3Dpremium&upid=ppd0qwm&upv=1.1.0|url-status=live}} During the COVID-19-interrupted 2020 season, the Crows slumped to only two wins and failed to reach the finals. The club quickly rose back up the following year and won seven of nine home-and-away matches, and they claimed the minor premiership for the 2021 season before going down to Brisbane by 18 points in the 2021 grand final.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/2021032813301288|title=Crows are the minor premiers in 2021, after a classy win|date=28 March 2021|work=World Footy News|author=Tash Gunawardana|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-date=29 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329030030/http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/2021032813301288|url-status=live}} Adelaide bounced back the next year to win the 2022 AFL Women's season 6 Grand Final by 13 points, earning their third premiership, the most of any club in the league.

In 2022, AFL rivals {{AFLW|PA}} were introduced into the women's competition. The two teams met in the first-ever AFLW Showdown on the 30th of September.{{cite news|title=Adelaide hammers Port in first AFLW Showdown, Hawthorn earns three-point win over West Coast Eagles|newspaper=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-30/aflw-hawthorn-west-coast-port-adelaide-adelaide/101493268|date=30 September 2022}} The occasion drew in a crowd of 20,652 at Adelaide Oval, which was the highest attendance for any game in 2022 season 7. Following their historic back-to-back premierships, Adelaide had consecutive preliminary final exits in season 7 and 2023, with loses to eventual runners-up {{AFLW|Bri}} and {{AFLW|NM}} respectively. Despite this, Adelaide finished 1st in the 2023 home-and-away season, becoming the first team to achieve this on four occasions.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1060114/adelaide-crows-too-classy-for-west-coast-eagles-keep-minor-premiership-hopes-alive|title=Crows too classy for Eagles, crowned minor premiers|website=AFL|date=4 November 2023}} Ebony Marinoff and Sarah Allen became the club's new co-captains in 2024. Another top-four finish ended in a bittersweet manner, as the Crows lost to both eventual grand finalists {{AFLW|Bri}} and {{AFL|NM}}, but Marinoff was crowned the league's best and fairest.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1259013/best-of-the-best-adelaide-crows-star-ebony-marinoff-caps-off-brilliant-year-with-best-and-fairest-win|title=Best of the best: Crows star caps off brilliant year with B&F win|website=afl.com.au|date=25 November 2024}}

{{Adelaide AFL Women's current squad}}

^ Denotes the ladder was split into two conferences. Figure refers to the club's overall finishing position in the home-and-away season.

{{Main|Adelaide Football Club (SANFL)}}

The Adelaide Crows were granted a license to field a stand-alone reserves men's team in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) in 2014.{{cite news|title=Crows reserves bid approved by SANFL, Power offered place in revised competition|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-16/crows-reserves-bid-approved-by-sanfl2c-offer-extended-to-port/4891120|newspaper=ABC News Australia|date=16 August 2013|access-date=30 July 2020|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917005305/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-16/crows-reserves-bid-approved-by-sanfl2c-offer-extended-to-port/4891120|url-status=live}} Prior to this date AFL-listed players at the club were drafted to SANFL clubs, and would play for them when not selected for the AFL team. A fairly unsuccessful history thus far, the Crows finished last in 2018 but have appeared in four preliminary finals. Ruckman Kieran Strachan has won the most best and fairest awards, with three to his name.

{{Adelaide SANFL current squad}}

{{Main|Showdown (AFL)}}

Adelaide has a fierce rivalry with fellow South Australian AFL team Port Adelaide. Matches between the two teams are known as the Showdown. The Showdown rivalry significantly draws upon the bitter, winner take all, competition for the two South Australian licences to join the AFL in the 1980s and early 1990s.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/199292/origins-of-the-showdown|title=Origins of the Showdown|date=3 May 2015|access-date=7 October 2022|website=AFL.com.au}} The Showdown is often considered the best, and most bitter, in the Australian Football League with Malcolm Blight, Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend, stating in 2009 that "there is no doubt it is the greatest rivalry in football".{{Cite news|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/expert-opinion/michelangelo-rucci/port-adelaide-and-the-crows-have-established-the-best-derby-in-australian-football/news-story/cd35184c56021e9ad14831435c641ace|title=Why we win the derby Showdown|access-date=2017-04-15|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901033815/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/expert-opinion/michelangelo-rucci/port-adelaide-and-the-crows-have-established-the-best-derby-in-australian-football/news-story/cd35184c56021e9ad14831435c641ace?nk=34a8c4ba929f3d7e793604e83b8b8ed4-1630467495|url-status=live}}

File:AFL round 6 2025, Adelaide vs. Greater Western Sydney 89.jpg

In 2006, the club made history becoming the first club in VFL/AFL history to have more than 50,000 members (with 50,138). They broke that record in 2007, signing up 50,146 members after only round one of the season. The club failed to continue this record run and subsequently signed 48,720 members in 2008, barely maintaining their pole position, before slipping to 45,515 in 2010; however, the trend reversed and later breached all-time highs in 2014 when they signed 54,249, although five other clubs had surpassed their membership base by this point, with Collingwood leading with nearly 80,000 members by this point. Adelaide's membership peaked for the 2019 season with 64,437, and their 2022 membership was 63,009.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-06 |title=2022 AFL membership ladder: Battlers lead the league, three crack the ton amid 14 record hauls |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-membership-numbers-ladder-2022-afl-club-membership-by-team-club-records-most-members-west-coast-richmond/news-story/fb533d3e5f05e6f9f757dabf4b77b0a6 |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}

The club has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Toyota since its inception, leading the club to be known in promotional materials as the "Camry Crows".

Two-time Grand Slam tennis champion Lleyton Hewitt was made the club's number-one ticket holder in December 2002.{{Cite web |url=http://footystats.freeservers.com/Archive/D-03-Dec-01.html |title=Stab kicks |access-date=29 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517215906/http://footystats.freeservers.com/Archive/D-03-Dec-01.html |archive-date=17 May 2013 |url-status=dead }} International pop singer Guy Sebastian became the number-one ticket holder in April 2024.{{cite web|title=Guy Sebastian announced as AFC No. 1 Ticketholder|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=3 April 2024|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1521514/crows-announce-new-number-one-ticket-holder}} Former federal politician Kate Ellis is the number-one female ticket holder, while Greg Champion, a musician and radio broadcaster, is the Melbourne number-one ticket holder.[http://www.afc.com.au/staff%20members/tabid/4517/default.aspx Recruiting Operatives] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512223607/http://www.afc.com.au/staff%20members/tabid/4517/default.aspx |date=12 May 2012 }} Australian golfer Adam Scott is also an honorary member of the club.{{Cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/afl/golf-can-wait-as-scott-jumps-on-the-crows-bandwagon/2005/08/21/1124562752901.html |title=Golf can wait as Scott jumps on the Crows' bandwagon - AFL - Sport - smh.com.au |date=22 August 2005 |access-date=6 June 2012 |archive-date=12 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812181043/http://www.smh.com.au/news/afl/golf-can-wait-as-scott-jumps-on-the-crows-bandwagon/2005/08/21/1124562752901.html |url-status=live }}

{{Further|List of Adelaide Football Club records and statistics}}

{{see also|Australian Football Hall of Fame}}

The Adelaide Football Club established their Hall of Fame in 2015, for its 25th year in the AFL. It honours the greatest contributors to the club and specifically includes members who have made a "profound" impact. 12 members have been inducted, including nine players, two administrators, and a coach.{{cite web |url=https://crowshistory.afc.com.au/hall-of-fame |title=Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame |publisher=Adelaide Football Club |access-date=29 December 2023}}

{{Australian football Hall of Fame

|Current team Name = Adelaide Football Club

| All Team Names = Adelaide Football Club

| ColorA# = 0B2240

| ColorB# = FFFFFF

| ColorC# = B50000

| ColorD# = FFFFFF

|

| Team Name 1 = Individuals

| List 1.1 =

Bill Sanders

Andrew McLeod

Tyson Edwards

| List 1.2 =

Bob Hammond

Simon Goodwin

Nigel Smart

| List 1.3 =

Mark Ricciuto

Malcolm Blight

| List 1.4 =

Ben Hart

Chris McDermott

| List 1.5 =

Tony Modra

Mark Bickley

|}}

{{Main|List of Adelaide Football Club records and statistics}}

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = 1997 AFL Grand Final

|date = Saturday, 27 September (2:30 pm)

|home team = {{AFL StK}}

|home Q1 = 3.6 (24)

|home Q2 = 7.11 (53)

|home Q3 = 9.13 (67)

|home final = 13.16 (94)

|home ET =

|home goals = Heatley 3, Hall 3, Loewe 2, Jones, Burke, Winmar, Peckett, Harvey

|home best = Harvey, Jones, Burke, Hall, Cook, Keogh

|home injuries=

|home reports =

|winner = A

|away team = {{AFL Ade}}

|away Q1 = 3.8 (26)

|away Q2 = 5.10 (40)

|away Q3 = 11.11 (77)

|away final = 19.11 (125)

|away ET =

|away goals = Jarman 6, Ellen 5, Bond 4, Smart, Goodwin, Rintoul, Caven

|away best = McLeod, Jarman, Johnson, Ellen, Goodwin, Caven

|away injuries=

|away reports =

|venue = MCG

|crowd = 99,645{{Cite web |url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1997/011519970927.html |title=AFL Tables - St Kilda v Adelaide - Sat, 27-Sep-1997 2:45 PM - Match Stats |access-date=14 September 2015 |archive-date=8 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008100615/http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1997/011519970927.html |url-status=live }}

|report =

|umpires = Kennedy (7), Sheehan (9), Nash (14)

|BOG award = Norm Smith Medal

|BOG winner = Andrew McLeod ({{AFL Ade}})

|broadcast = Seven Network

|anthem = Marina Prior

|notes =

• St Kilda won the coin toss and kicked to the Punt Road end in the first quarter.

}}

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = 1998 AFL Grand Final

|date = Saturday, 26 September (2:30pm)

|home team = {{AFL Ade}}

|home Q1 = 3.2 (20)

|home Q2 = 4.3 (27)

|home Q3 = 9.11 (65)

|home final = 15.15 (105)

|home ET =

|home goals = Jarman 5, Smart 3, Vardy 2, James, Pittman, Johnson, Thiessen, Ricciuto

|home best = McLeod, Hart, Jarman, Johnson, Rehn, Caven, Bickley

|home injuries=

|home reports =

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL NM}}

|away Q1 = 4.4 (28)

|away Q2 = 6.15 (51)

|away Q3 = 8.15 (63)

|away final = 8.22 (70)

|away ET =

|away goals = Blakey, Pike, Abraham, Carey, Roberts, Bell, Allison, Simpson

|away best = Pickett, Stevens, Martyn, Abraham

|away injuries=

|away reports =

|venue = MCG

|crowd = 94,431

|report =

|umpires = Coates (6), Kennedy (7), Goldspink (32)

|BOG award = Norm Smith Medal

|BOG winner = Andrew McLeod

|broadcast = Seven Network

|anthem = Rob Guest

|notes =

• North Melbourne won the coin toss and kicked to the Punt Road end in the first quarter.

}}

{{Aussie rules team | title = 1997 Premiership Team

| align="right"

| backpocket1 = Ben Hart

| fullback = Rod Jameson

| backpocket2 = Peter Caven

| halfbackflank1 = Andrew McLeod

| centrehalfback = David Pittman

| halfbackflank2 = Simon Goodwin

| wing1 = Kym Koster

| centre = Kane Johnson

| wing2 = Matthew Connell

| halfforwardflank1 = Troy Bond

| centrehalfforward = Matthew Robran

| halfforwardflank2 = Nigel Smart

| forwardpocket1 = Chad Rintoul

| fullforward = Shane Ellen

| forwardpocket2 = Clay Sampson

| ruck = Shaun Rehn

| ruckrover = Mark Bickley (Capt.)

| rover = Darren Jarman

| interchange1 = Tyson Edwards

| interchange2 = Aaron Keating

| interchange3 = Brett James

| coach = Malcolm Blight

}}

{{Aussie rules team | title = 1998 Premiership Team

| align="right"

| backpocket1 = Tyson Edwards

| fullback = Ben Hart

| backpocket2 = David Pittman

| halfbackflank1 = Simon Goodwin

| centrehalfback = Peter Caven

| halfbackflank2 = Nigel Smart

| wing1 = Kym Koster

| centre = Darren Jarman

| wing2 = Andrew Eccles

| halfforwardflank1 = Peter Vardy

| centrehalfforward = Matthew Robran

| halfforwardflank2 = Andrew McLeod

| forwardpocket1 = Mark Bickley (Capt.)

| fullforward = Mark Stevens

| forwardpocket2 = Shane Ellen

| ruck = Shaun Rehn

| ruckrover = Mark Ricciuto

| rover = Kane Johnson

| interchange1 = Matthew Connell

| interchange2 = Brett James

| interchange3 = Ben Marsh

| interchange4 = James Thiessen

| coach = Malcolm Blight

}}

While some sides named their "Team of the Century" to coincide with the AFL centenary celebrations in 1996, Adelaide only joined the league in 1991, and so later on named their "Team of the Decade", covering the period from 1991 to 2000. As well as earning selection in the team, Mark Ricciuto was named 'Player of the Decade' and Mark Bickley 'Team Man of the Decade.'{{cite web |url=http://afc.com.au/TheClub/History/TeamoftheDecade/tabid/4499/Default.aspx |title=Team of the Decade |date=17 March 2005 |publisher=Official Website of the Adelaide Football Club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529015655/http://www.afc.com.au/TheClub/History/TeamoftheDecade/tabid/4499/Default.aspx |archive-date=29 May 2010 |access-date=2 February 2007 |url-status=dead}}

{{Aussie rules team | title = Adelaide Team of the Decade

| backpocket1 = Ben Hart

| fullback = Rod Jameson

| backpocket2 = Mark Bickley

| halfbackflank1 = Nigel Smart

| centrehalfback = Peter Caven

| halfbackflank2 = Andrew McLeod

| wing1 = Greg Anderson

| centre = Andrew Jarman

| wing2 = Simon Tregenza

| halfforwardflank1 = Kane Johnson

| centrehalfforward = Matthew Robran

| halfforwardflank2 = Mark Ricciuto

| forwardpocket1 = Darren Jarman

| fullforward = Tony Modra

| forwardpocket2 = Matthew Liptak

| ruck = Shaun Rehn

| ruckrover = Chris McDermott

| rover = Tony McGuinness

| interchange1 = Mark Mickan

| interchange2 = Simon Goodwin

| interchange3 = Rodney Maynard

| interchange4 = David Pittman

| interchange5 =

| interchange6 =

| coach = Malcolm Blight

}}

{{main|List of Adelaide Football Club coaches}}

{{main|List of Adelaide Football Club captains}}

===Past players===

{{main|List of Adelaide Football Club players}}

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-2}}

Brownlow Medal (AFL best and fairest){{cite web |title=Brownlow History |url=https://www.afl.com.au/brownlow-medal/history |website=afl.com.au |access-date=14 October 2021 |language=en}}

• 2003 – Mark Ricciuto

Coleman Medal (AFL leading goalkicker)

• 1997 – Tony Modra (81)

AFLCA Champion Player of the Year{{cite web |last1=Association |first1=AFL Coaches |title=AFLCA Champion Player of the Year - AFLCA Awards |url=https://aflcoaches.com.au/awards/the-aflca-champion-player-of-the-year-award |website=AFL Coaches Association |access-date=6 June 2021 }}

• 2006 – Simon Goodwin

AFL Rising Star{{cite web |title=Rising Star History |url=https://www.afl.com.au/rising-star/history |website=afl.com.au |access-date=6 June 2021 }}

• 2012 – Daniel Talia

Norm Smith Medal (AFL Grand Final best on ground){{cite web |title=Norm Smith Medal |url=https://www.afl.com.au/stats/leaders-awards/norm-smith-medal |website=afl.com.au |access-date=6 June 2021 }}

• 1997 – Andrew McLeod
• 1998 – Andrew McLeod

{{Col-2}}

AFL Women's best and fairest

• 2017 – Erin Phillips
• 2019 – Erin Phillips
• 2024 – Ebony Marinoff

AFL Women's leading goalkicker

• 2019 – Stevie-Lee Thompson (13)
• 2022 (S6) – Ashleigh Woodland (19)

AFLCA Women's Champion Player of the Year

• 2018 – Chelsea Randall
• 2019 – Erin Phillips
• 2024 – Ebony Marinoff

AFL Women's Rising Star

• 2017 – Ebony Marinoff

{{Col-end}}

An All-Australian team is considered a "best-of" selection of players for each calendar year, with each player represented in their team position. Captains and vice-captains, indicated with (c) and (vc) respectively, are awarded to players who displayed leadership and excellence on the field during the season. Each team is selected by a panel of experts.{{Cite web|title=The evolution of the All Australian team|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/150320/the-evolution-of-the-all-australian-team|access-date=2021-06-13|website=afl.com.au|date=19 August 2016 |language=en}}

AFL Men

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Nigel Smart – 1991, 1993, 1998
• Ben Hart – 1992, 1993, 1999, 2002
• Tony McGuiness – 1992, 1993
• Chris McDermott – 1992
• Greg Anderson – 1993
• Tony Modra – 1993, 1997
• Shaun Rehn – 1994, 1998
• Mark Ricciuto – 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 (c), 2005 (c)
• Darren Jarman – 1996
• Andrew McLeod – 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007 (c)
• Simon Goodwin – 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2009
• Ben Rutten – 2005
• Nathan Bassett – 2006
• Nathan Bock – 2009
• Patrick Dangerfield – 2012, 2013, 2015
• Scott Thompson – 2012
• Brodie Smith – 2014
• Daniel Talia – 2014, 2016
• Eddie Betts – 2015, 2016, 2017
• Rory Sloane – 2016 (vc)
• Matt Crouch – 2017
• Rory Laird – 2017, 2018
• Jordan Dawson – 2023
• Taylor Walker – 2023

{{div col end}}

AFL Women

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Courtney Cramey – 2017
• Chelsea Randall – 2017, 2018 (c), 2019 (vc), 2022 (S7), 2024
• Erin Phillips – 2017 (vc), 2019 (c), 2021
• Sarah Perkins – 2017
• Ebony Marinoff – 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022 (S6), 2022 (S7), 2023, 2024 (vc)
• Stevie-Lee Thompson – 2019
• Anne Hatchard – 2019, 2020, 2022 (S6), 2022 (S7)
• Sarah Allan – 2020, 2021, 2022 (S6)
• Ashleigh Woodland – 2022 (S6)
• Chelsea Biddell – 2022 (S7), 2023, 2024
• Niamh Kelly – 2023
• Danielle Ponter – 2023
• Caitlin Gould – 2024

{{div col end}}

{{Portal|Sports|Australia}}

• Adelaide Football Club coaches
• List of Adelaide Football Club players
• Australian rules football in South Australia
• History of the Adelaide Football Club
• Sport in Australia
• Sport in South Australia
• :Category:Adelaide Football Club players

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{official website}}
• [https://www.flashscore.com.au/team/adelaide-crows/EkLNcDca/results/ Adelaide Crows results] - Latest scores for Adelaide Football Club

{{Adelaide Football Club}}

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{{VFL/AFL minor premiers}}

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Category:Australian rules football clubs established in 1990

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