Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman reveals club will announce new senior coach within two weeks
Adelaide will announce its new senior coach in the next two weeks as chairman Rob Chapman declared the club would emerge from its review with a blueprint to become a contender again.
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Crows chairman Rob Chapman has spoken at Adelaide’s black tie awards night to assure fans despite a disappointing season, the club is headed in the right direction.
“(This year) did not bring the type of success we wanted … but we have never been more determined to turn things around,” he said.
“Nothing is happening within our football club at the moment by accident.
“We have a carefully laid out plan and it will be fulfilled over the next few weeks.
“I believe and I know exciting times lie ahead for our football club again.”
Chapman described the 2019 season as a “challenging year” and one that had not met the expectations the club had set for itself, nor those of fans.
“When we underdeliver, we are well aware our members and supporters feel that and like us, they hurt,” he said. “We all feel and share the pain.
“This club is going to be around for many, many years to come and I, along with other directors, management, staff, coaches and players, we are privileged to help shape it, during what is, in the bigger picture, just a snapshot in time.”
He said the club desperately wanted to return to finals, after missing out in consecutive seasons and was resolute in his promise to players and supporters.
“Let me assure everyone in this room tonight and the many Crows fans across the country that we are and we will be doing everything possible to make sure that happens and it already is with the reviews we are undertaking,” he said.
“Within the next 14 days we will be making a series of major decisions, as both the review finalises and we appoint and announce the next senior coach of our club. I am extremely confident we will emerge with a clear blueprint that will underpin what we expect to be a very exciting period ahead of our football club.”
Chapman thanked former coach Don Pyke, who made a last-minute decision to attend the awards night, describing him a first-class coach. He then presented former captain Taylor Walker with a gift, thanking him for his service.
He also singled out ruckman Sam Jacobs, retiring defender Andy Otten and midfielder Richard Douglas, all of whom are leaving the club, for praise.
“Three better men you’d be hard pressed to find at any football club,” he said.
And he said the club respected and understood the decisions of Alex Keath, Hugh Greenwood and Cam Ellis-Yolmen, who have announced they too are seeking trades out of West Lakes.
“Because they are leaving, it doesn’t mean they don’t remain good friends of ours and I’m certain there will be more change in what is proving to be a lengthy trade period and an interesting trade period over the next few weeks.
“If there’s anybody else who is going to leave, they go with my thanks and the heartfelt respect of the entire football club.”
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Despite that, he ended his speech on a high note, reassuring the audience the club was “transitioning into what we think will be an exciting new era”.
“After just falling short of the ultimate success only two years ago, the time has come to rejuvenate our list.
“We have a significant core of proven and talented players together with some elite young players who I know will become fan favourites over the next few years.”