The Adelaide Crows operate under the AFL’s $16.49 million soft salary cap, featuring captain Jordan Dawson on a five-year deal worth approximately $5.5 million after returning home from Sydney in 2021.
Adelaide has rebuilt salary cap flexibility following the 2022-2023 exodus that saw multiple high-paid players depart. The club invested heavily in young key forwards Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty on long-term deals while maintaining space for external recruitment.
General manager of list management and strategy Justin Reid has transformed the list from salary cap squeeze to flexibility. The Crows finished 11th in 2024 with a 10-13 record, entering their fourth season of rebuild under coach Matthew Nicks.
Discover the Adelaide Crows players biography and net worth by clicking on their name.
| Player Name | Position |
| Darcy Fogarty | Forward |
| Taylor Walker | Forward |
| Ben Keays | Forward |
| Lachlan Murphy | Forward |
| Izak Rankine | Forward |
| Riley Thilthorpe | Forward |
| Luke Pedlar | Forward |
| Josh Rachele | Forward |
| Zac Taylor | Forward |
| Brayden Cook | Forward |
| Toby Murray | Forward |
| Daniel Curtin | Forward |
| Tyler Welsh | Forward |
| Chris Burgess | Forward |
| Harry Schoenberg | Forward |
| Alex Neal-Bullen | Midfielder/Forward |
| Matt Crouch | Midfielder |
| Rory Laird | Midfielder |
| Jordan Dawson | Midfielder |
| Isaac Cumming | Midfielder |
| Chayce Jones | Midfielder |
| James Peatling | Midfielder |
| Lachlan Sholl | Midfielder |
| Sam Berry | Midfielder |
| Billy Dowling | Midfielder |
| Jake Soligo | Midfielder |
| Sid Draper | Midfielder |
| Brodie Smith | Defender |
| Mitchell Hinge | Defender |
| Mark Keane | Defender |
| Wayne Milera | Defender |
| Jordon Butts | Defender |
| Josh Worrell | Defender |
| James Borlase | Defender |
| Nick Murray | Defender |
| Max Michalanney | Defender |
| Luke Nankervis | Defender |
| Charlie Edwards | Midfielder/Defender |
| Hugh Bond | Defender |
| Oscar Ryan | Defender |
| Karl Gallagher | Defender |
| Reilly O’Brien | Ruck |
Adelaide Crows’ Biggest Contracts
- Jordan Dawson – Captain/Midfielder: Jordan Dawson signed a five-year deal through 2026 worth approximately $5.5 million total when joining from Sydney as a restricted free agent. He reportedly earns $1-1.1 million annually, making him the Crows’ highest-paid player after finishing runner-up in the 2022 Brownlow Medal with 28 votes.
- Rory Laird – Vice-Captain/Midfielder: Rory Laird extended through 2025 on a deal reportedly worth $3.5-4 million total. The 30-year-old two-time All-Australian earns an estimated $850,000-900,000 annually despite injury concerns limiting him to 13 games in 2024.
- Riley Thilthorpe – Key Forward: Riley Thilthorpe signed a six-year extension through 2028 worth approximately $4.5 million total. The 22-year-old pick 2 from 2020 draft earns an estimated $700,000-800,000 annually, though injury struggles (33 games across four seasons) create value questions.
- Izak Rankine – Forward: Izak Rankine joined from Gold Coast on a four-year deal through 2026 worth approximately $3.2 million. The dynamic forward earns an estimated $750,000-850,000 annually after Adelaide traded picks 5 and 43 to acquire him as a restricted free agent in 2022.
- Taylor Walker – Forward/Leadership: Taylor Walker remains on a veteran’s list contract earning an estimated $400,000-500,000 annually through 2025. The 34-year-old former captain provides leadership value beyond his reduced on-field output (22 goals in 2024).
Adelaide’s top-five contracts total approximately $20-22 million, consuming roughly 30-35% of the club’s salary cap space. The Crows maintain a balanced approach avoiding mega-deals beyond Dawson while investing in youth development.
How Adelaide Manages the $16.49M Salary Cap
The AFL’s salary cap for 2025 features a $16.49 million soft cap and $17.16 million hard cap including Additional Services Agreements. Adelaide sits comfortably under with approximately $1.5-2 million in remaining cap space after clearing high-paid veterans.
The Crows employ a youth-focused strategy, with 40% of the salary cap allocated to players aged 24 and under. This contrasts with Geelong’s veteran-heavy approach where 45% goes to players over 28.
Adelaide benefits from no veteran list exemptions currently utilized, unlike Geelong who exempt five players. The club cleared significant salary space between 2022-2024 as Brad Crouch ($750K), Luke Brown ($600K), and Tom Lynch ($500K) departed.
Adelaide invested heavily in academy products through matched bids rather than salary cap spending. The club secured Tyler Welsh (2023 father-son) and Billy Dowling (2024 Next Generation Academy) at discounted draft capital.
Adelaide’s Biggest Salary Cap Decision: The Post-2017 Salary Dump
Adelaide’s most significant salary cap decision came dismantling the 2017 Grand Final list after missing finals four consecutive seasons. The club moved on from 15 players earning a combined $8-10 million annually between 2020-2023.
Brad Crouch’s departure to St Kilda freed approximately $750,000 annually despite receiving only a second-round compensation pick. Rory Atkins ($500K), Tom Lynch ($500K), and Kyle Hartigan ($400K) all left as free agents, clearing $2.15 million combined cap space.
The strategy allowed Adelaide retaining young talent like Thilthorpe, Ben Keays, and Chayce Jones on second contracts. The Crows redirected savings toward recruiting Dawson and Rankine as star-level external acquisitions.
This approach mirrors Carlton’s 2020-2022 rebuild clearing $6 million in veteran salaries before signing Marc Pittonet, Adam Cerra, and Jack Martin. Adelaide’s method created flexibility for the next premiership window opening 2025-2027.
Salary Cap Strategy: Adelaide vs Port Adelaide
Adelaide employs a balanced youth-investment model spreading 35% of cap space across 8-10 emerging players earning $500,000-800,000. Port Adelaide pursues a star-accumulation approach with 40% of their cap concentrated in five elite players earning $900,000+.
The Crows prioritize homegrown talent like Thilthorpe, Fogarty, and Jones on long-term extensions. Port Adelaide aggressively trades for established stars like Dan Houston ($850K), Jason Horne-Francis ($750K), and Junior Rioli ($650K).
Adelaide’s philosophy suits a 3-5 year premiership timeline, building depth to sustain contention. Port Adelaide’s win-now mentality targets the 2025-2027 window before salary cap squeeze forces difficult decisions.
The Showdown rivals share one similarity: both clubs secured elite captains from interstate (Dawson from Sydney, Connor Rozee Melbourne-born but Port Adelaide-developed). Both players reportedly earn $1 million+ annually anchoring midfield units.
FAQs
What is Jordan Dawson’s contract worth?
Jordan Dawson signed a five-year deal through 2026 worth approximately $5.5 million total, earning an estimated $1-1.1 million annually as Adelaide’s captain. He joined as a restricted free agent from Sydney in 2021 after winning the Swans’ best and fairest.
How much salary cap space do the Crows have?
Adelaide has approximately $1.5-2 million in remaining salary cap space under the $16.49 million soft cap. The club cleared significant room after moving on from Brad Crouch, Luke Brown, Tom Lynch, and other veterans earning $8-10 million combined between 2020-2023.
Who is Adelaide’s highest-paid player?
Jordan Dawson is Adelaide’s highest-paid player earning an estimated $1-1.1 million annually. Rory Laird ranks second at approximately $850,000-900,000, followed by Izak Rankine ($750,000-850,000) and Riley Thilthorpe ($700,000-800,000).
How does Adelaide fit Riley Thilthorpe’s contract under the cap?
Adelaide structured Riley Thilthorpe’s six-year $4.5 million extension with front-loaded payments in 2024-2025 while cap space remains available. The deal becomes more manageable after 2026 when Rory Laird ($900K) and Taylor Walker ($500K) contracts expire, freeing $1.4 million annually.
