GWS senior assistant Matthew Nicks on Adelaide’s shortlist to replace Don Pyke as coach
A former Power assistant who is now with GWS is on Adelaide’s shortlist to become its next senior coach. And the Crows will decide on a successor within two weeks.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Crows great calls Nicks ‘perfect candidate’
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Former Power assistant Matthew Nicks is on Adelaide’s shortlist to be its next senior coach.
The Crows have been looking for a replacement for Don Pyke since his resignation last month and have narrowed their list of candidates over the past few weeks.
The Advertiser understands Nicks, now a senior assistant at GWS, has had informal discussions with the club and been told he will soon make an in-person presentation.
Face-to-face interviews have begun and the Crows will appoint Pyke’s successor within the next fortnight.
Originally from West Adelaide, Nicks, 34, played 175 games for Sydney from 1996-2005 and was with the Power from 2011-2018, first as a development coach then becoming senior assistant for two years.
He joined losing grand finalist GWS as its senior assistant for this past season.
Nicks was initially an outsider for the Crows job with betting agencies but recently shortened to be among the favourites.
Former Collingwood captain turned Hawthorn assistant Scott Burns has long been considered one of the frontrunners with bookmakers.
Someone who has not been widely mentioned but has been sounded out is Geelong great and former Power assistant Garry Hocking, now a stoppages coach at Collingwood.
Replay the 2019 Toyota AFL Grand Final in full on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
Hocking, an Australian Football Hall of Fame member, coached WAFL club Peel Thunder and TAC Cup side Geelong Falcons before spending seven years with Port, including as caretaker coach in 2012 and the Magpies’ SANFL mentor in 2014-15, then was South Adelaide mentor in 2017.
Other linked to the vacant Crows position in recent days include Port Adelaide premiership players Adam Kingsley and Jarrad Schofield.
Kingsley, the AFL Coaches Association’s Assistant Coach of the Year in 2015, was midfield and stoppage coach at premiership winner Richmond this past season and was previously an assistant at the Power and St Kilda.
Schofield became midfield coach at the Power last year after guiding WAFL club Subiaco to three flags (2014, 2015, 2018).