Crows reserves captain Ian Callinan aims to stay in the AFL system
CROWS SANFL captain Ian Callinan has outlined his reasons for choosing the Crows over a return to his beloved Central District.
CROWS SANFL captain Ian Callinan has outlined his reasons for choosing the Crows over a return to his beloved Central District, where he collected flag after a flag and was a crowd favourite.
Callinan, 31, will lead Adelaide’s first reserves side in a practice match against Sturt today and said it had been a decision made with his future in mind rather than over which club he felt more passionate about.
The enterprising little forward was cut by the Crows last year after 49 goals from 32 goals over three seasons after being picked up as a late recruit.
“It was a pretty hard decision because of my history with Central,’’ Callinan said.
“But in the end for me it was more about once you get into the AFL system, it’s a lot easier to stay there than to go out and try to get back in.
“Hopefully for me in the long-term it’s going to be maybe going into a development role or maybe even a coaching role.
“That’s what I’m looking at for the moment. The bonus is that I get to play, as well.
“But legitimately, it was more about staying involved with the coaching side and the development side of it.’’
He is his side’s assistant development coach outside of his playing and leadership duties.
Few players have travelled like Callinan, who have these clubs on his resume: Clarence, the Tasmanian Devils, Central District and the Crows.
He was also invited to trial with AFL clubs such as Collingwood (2000), Essendon (2004), North Melbourne (2006) and Richmond (2007) before finally landing a contract with the Crows.
But Callinan said he could not wait to begin his next assignment and remains deeply passionate about the Australian game.
“I love it, mate,’’ he said.
“I live and breathe it and watch just about every game each week.’’
Adelaide picked up Jason Podsiadly, a former leading Geelong goalkicker, who is one year older than Callinan for this season.
But Callinan holds no hope of being picked up by an AFL club again.
“It’s long gone,’’ he said.
“I was delisted at the end of last year and if somebody was going to give me that opportunity they would have done that back then.
“I’m not thinking about that; I’ve sort of moved on.
“This is a different stage of my life and I just want to stay involved in some sort of way.’’
Adelaide plays its first SANFL trial match at 10am on Saturday, taking on Sturt.
It coincides with the club’s annual members’ day, which will include signing sessions and football skills activities for children with the players. Entry is free.