Greater Western Sydney young gun Jackson Hately. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images via AFL Photos

ADELAIDE'S next moves after last year's dramatic list overhaul will be watched with great interest.

The Crows signalled a major change of direction with a veteran cleanout not seen for some time, which preceded what's so far been a winless campaign under new coach Matthew Nicks.

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They traded for extra draft picks and brought in players within a specific age demographic, acknowledging it will likely be several seasons before they contend again.

That leaves Adelaide's list management team, headed by Justin Reid and including national recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie and analytics guru Binuk Kodituwakku, with serious work to do.

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Reid and co. illustrated their targeted recruiting in trading for Billy Frampton and recycling Ben Keays and Ben Crocker, all of whom were low-profile signings who filled needs.

One route the Crows could explore is chasing gettable homegrown products who might be keen on returning to South Australia.

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They did that with Bryce Gibbs and Tyson Stengle in the past couple of years, as well as recruiting the likes of Wayne Milera, Darcy Fogarty and Harry Schoenberg high in the draft.

Adelaide won't recruit based just on state of origin, but it's advantageous if they're South Australians who tick other boxes, too. AFL.com.au has identified players who might fit the bill. 

Callum Coleman-Jones (Richmond)

Age: 21
SANFL club: Sturt
2020 games: 0
Career games: 1
Out of contract: 2021 

The top-20 draftee is in his third season as a Tiger and developing nicely as a 200cm ruck-forward. It's tough to break into Richmond's senior side at either position, with competition from Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt, Ivan Soldo, Toby Nankervis and Mabior Chol. Coleman-Jones has multiple rival clubs tracking his progress and he'd be an intriguing addition for the Crows. They could do with more ruck depth, but already have emerging forwards Elliott Himmelberg – who's showing good signs this season – and Darcy Fogarty. Himmelberg is serving as Adelaide's back-up ruckman to Reilly O'Brien, while Billy Frampton was recruited from the Power to compete for that role as well. 

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Brennan Cox (Fremantle)

Age: 22
SANFL club: Woodville-West Torrens
2020 games: 6
Career games: 40
Out of contract: 2020

Is playing an important role down back for the Dockers, with Alex Pearce, Joel Hamling and Griffin Logue sidelined long term. He's also previously played in attack, but Matt Taberner, Rory Lobb and Jesse Hogan – although he's preparing to go into defence, too – are the first-choice tall options there. What Cox must weigh up is whether there's a position for him once those guys are fit. His contested and intercept marking and swingman talents would appeal to Adelaide. Fischer McAsey, Josh Worrell and Jordon Butts are 20 or younger, but Daniel Talia and Kyle Hartigan will both turn 30 next year, so Cox could help ease the transition period. 

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Jack Graham (Richmond)

Age: 22
SANFL club: North Adelaide
2020 games: 6
Career games: 45
Out of contract: 2020

Played in the Tigers' 2017 premiership in just his fifth game and would have doubled up last year if not for a shoulder dislocation in the preliminary final. It's been tougher for Graham this season and he's currently out of the team after being dropped for a second time. Has spent time on a wing in 2020, but can also play as an inside midfielder or across half-forward – he has four multiple-goal matches – so that positional flexibility helps his value. Richmond's been willing to offload its depth players in recent seasons, so it wouldn't be a shock if Graham left for greater security. Developing in the Tigers' successful environment adds extra sheen. 

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Jackson Hately (Greater Western Sydney)

Age: 19
SANFL club: Central District
2020 games: 5
Career games: 12
Out of contract: 2020

This one's familiar for the Giants: a midfielder chosen in the first round who can't break in regularly because of their engine-room riches. Hately's draft contract expires at the end of this season and he presents as a low-risk, high-reward option for another club. What any potential suitor must decide is how highly they rate him, because the salary going-rate for a top draft pick's second deal can be lofty. With Hugh Greenwood and Cam Ellis-Yolmen departing last year, Hately's 190cm size might give him a point of difference in the Crows' onball brigade. Many of the guys ahead of him at GWS are tied up on long-term deals, so it won't get any easier. 

04:35

Peter Ladhams (Port Adelaide)

Age: 22
SANFL club: Norwood
2020 games: 5
Career games: 10
Out of contract: 2022

Along with Tim English and Sean Darcy, Ladhams might be the pick of the next generation of ruckmen. That would make him untouchable in most situations, but the Power gave Scott Lycett a five-year deal after he played in the Eagles' 2018 flag. Lycett and Ladhams played together last week, and Ken Hinkley probably has little choice if they want to retain the latter. The Crows were among several clubs that inquired about the 202cm big man when he was out of contract last year but he re-signed. Ladhams has been even more impressive this season. Reilly O'Brien is a more-than-serviceable option as the No.1 ruckman at Adelaide, but doesn't have Ladhams' upside.

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Tom Sparrow (Melbourne)

Age: 20
SANFL club: South Adelaide
2020 games: 3
Career games: 5
Out of contract: 2020

Sparrow's forced his way into the Demons' onball rotation with consistently good performances at the lower level, and is already entrusted with plenty of centre-bounce attendances. His dilemma might be that there's already a midfield logjam, with Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney and Angus Brayshaw there, too. If Melbourne keeps Brayshaw, then Sparrow might be scrounging for chances for a while. On the flipside, the Crows' midfield division is in a state of flux. They've tried Brodie Smith and Rory Laird in there in 2020, neither of the Crouch brothers – Matt and Brad – is certain to be there next year, Rory Sloane is 30, and Chayce Jones, Harry Schoenberg and Ned McHenry are still unproven. 

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Luke Valente (Fremantle)

Age: 20
SANFL club: Norwood
2020 games: 0
Career games: 0
Out of contract: 2020

South Australia's 2018 under-18 captain and prolific midfielder is the wildcard here. He was a slider in his draft year, with the Crows preferring Chayce Jones, Ned McHenry and Will Hamill before the Dockers snared Valente at pick 32. A groin problem ruined Valente's debut AFL season and restricted him previously, but he's healthy again and receiving praise from coach Justin Longmuir. Even still, Freo's invested heavily in midfielders early in the draft recently, with Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, Caleb Serong and Darcy Tucker showing promise. Michael Walters, Nat Fyfe and David Mundy are still going strong as well. Valente might see a clearer path to matches at the rebuilding Crows. 

03:03

How about?

Chris Burgess (Gold Coast), Sam Durdin (North Melbourne), Mitch Hinge (Brisbane), Jacob Kennerley (Geelong), Oleg Markov (Richmond), Alex Neal-Bullen (Melbourne), Harry Petty (Melbourne), Matt Scharenberg (Collingwood) 

More of a long shot

Jordan Dawson (Sydney), Orazio Fantasia (Essendon), Aaron Francis (Essendon), Will Hayward (Sydney), George Hewett (Sydney), Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast)

Crows' 2020 draft picks

First round (Adelaide)
First round (Greater Western Sydney)
Second round (Adelaide)
Second round (Western Bulldogs)
Third round (Collingwood)
Third round (Fremantle)
Fourth round (Gold Coast)

* Could also match bids on Luke Edwards (father-son) and James Borlase and Tarik Newchurch (NGA)
** Restricted free agent Brad Crouch may score the Crows a high-compensation selection if he signs a lucrative long-term contract elsewhere