Adelaide Crows coach Don Pyke adopts relaxed approach in 2019 after tough 2018 campaign

Rory Sloane’s rise to co-captain with Taylor Walker isn’t Adelaide’s only positive leadership change this season with coach Don Pyke’s relaxed demeanour and banter striking a chord with players.

Crows coach Don Pyke is seen during an Adelaide Crows training session at West Lakes. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

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Rory Sloane’s rise to co-captain with Taylor Walker isn’t Adelaide’s only positive leadership change this season with coach Don Pyke’s relaxed demeanour striking a chord with players.

Adelaide star Bryce Gibbs has revealed how a refreshed Pyke has loosened up with players and coaching staff, evoking comparisons with how Damien Hardwick released the pressure valve in Richmond’s 2017 premiership year.

Pyke had little to smile about in 2018 with Adelaide missing the finals, brilliant utility Mitch McGovern fleeing the nest and fallout from the club’s pre-season camp.

It’s a case of that was then, this is now.

Adelaide coach Don Pyke has as laugh during pre-training session at Thebarton Oval. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Wundke.

Those expecting Pyke to return breathing fire this year are misguided.

“I would say it has gone the other way, a bit more relaxed. Pykey, his demeanour around the place and having really good banter with the players,” revealed Gibbs.

“The boys are in great shape and looking forward to the season.”

Assistant coaches Scott Camporeale, Marty Mattner, Matthew Clarke, Ben Hart and Michael Godden can expect greater responsibility this winter. Pyke will have added time to focus on the bigger picture at West Lakes which is vital in South Australia’s two-team bubble.

“I think he is delegating a few more roles to the assistant coaches which I think has been good for him,” said Gibbs of perfectionist Pyke.

A period of reflection following the disappointment of last season’s slide to 12th has provided clarity where Adelaide is putting the fun back into footy.

Hardwick cut the shackles at Richmond in 2017 with premiership effect while Nathan Buckley adopted a similar ploy in Collingwood’s surprise surge to the 2018 grand final against West Coast.

“From what I saw he probably tried to take on a little bit too much at times. His attitude this pre-season has been great, has the assistant coaches doing a bit more,” observed Gibbs who played under coaches including Denis Pagan, Brett Ratten, Mick Malthouse and Brendon Bolton at Carlton.

Rory Sloane and Bryce Gibbs celebrate a win last year. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I think he is enjoying the pre-season a bit more and he is in a good head space.”

Pyke’s move to appoint Sloane as co-captain after consulting Walker was both savvy and intuitive, signalling the club’s desire for top down progress within its premiership window.

“The guys that get elected in those roles are really strong characters, set the example on and off the field, have a presence about them,” Gibbs told The Advertiser.

“If there’s two of them in your club it makes sense to make then share the role.”

Gibbs is also feeling more comfortable entering his second year with Adelaide after a decade at AFL struggler Carlton.

“You always feel a bit better second up. I have been around the traps for long enough but even last year was a bit nervy for me with a new club and starting again. I am feeling good,” said Gibbs