Adelaide Crows coach Don Pyke notes competitive spirit in his AFL players

PRE-SEASON training at the Adelaide Crows has left a strong impression on coach Don Pyke as his team prepares to rebound on the grand final loss.

Crows coach Don Pyke is finding the competitive spirit among his players a blessing - and adding to his tough task of choosing Adelaide’s starting 22 for the premiership season. Picture: David Mariuz

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DON Pyke says he is blessed to be Crows coach. He also admits to be being tested by the blessing of having a determined player group at Adelaide.

“I am blessed - and I mean that most sincerely,” added Pyke explaining his AFL squad is loaded with players determined to give their best and work harder to be at their best in a demanding football competition.

“That makes my job easier ... and hard as well,” said Pyke. “Because I have to make decisions (at selection) ... I can only play 22.”

This ultra-competitive process of finding Adelaide’s first 22 for the AFL premiership-season opener against Essendon at Etihad Stadium on March 23 continues at Football Park with an internal trial on Saturday.

Pyke has vice-captain Rory Sloane, veteran forward Eddie Betts and 2010 club champion Richard Douglas back in action after the experienced trio missed the JLT Community Series start against Fremantle at Strathalbyn on Sunday.

Captain Taylor Walker remains on the running track recuperating from his left-foot injury with his program not including a pre-season match.

The session at West Lakes Saturday is to have a strong focus on “match simulation” and “adding minutes” to the preparation of many Crows players after Pyke noted the need for more work on the track after the scratchy workout against the Dockers last weekend.

Pyke notes Adelaide is better on its selection whiteboard this pre-season for the return from injury of midfielders Cam Ellis-Yolmen, midfielder-defender Curtly Hampton and defender Kyle Cheney.

Richard Douglas will play in Saturday’s internal trial after missing last week’s pre-season clash. Picture: Adelaide Football Club.

“But there are players who have left the club (Jake Lever to Melbourne and Charlie Cameron to Brisbane) and injury to (defender) Brodie Smith,” Pyke said. “So there is opportunity there.

“And it is important to us that we have internal competition. The pressure for spots (in the starting 22) is what we need.”

The competitive spirit at West Lakes is reassuring to Pyke as the AFL pundits question how the Crows will rebound from their grand final loss to Richmond last September.

Adelaide will close the pre-season series with a summer Showdown against Port Adelaide at Alberton next Saturday.

“Our focus is clear,” Pyke said of Adelaide’s preparation after a late start to the pre-season, a result of being a grand finalist last season.

“We played strong, powerful footy last year. But if you stand still in this competition, others go past you. So how do we get better?

“How do we keep improving?

“We are looking for that little bit more. Sometimes that is hard to get, but that is what we are pushing (the players) for. We are determined to make improvement.”

Entry to the trial game is free and from Gate 8 at the southern end of Football Park. The gate opens at 9am.