Adelaide Crows coach Don Pyke would support Scott Camporeale in tilt for Carlton’s top job
Adelaide coach Don Pyke has said he would support assistant Scott Camporeale if he chose to throw his hat in the ring for the newly vacant coach job at his former club Carlton.
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Adelaide’s swap fest with Carlton could gain more steam with Don Pyke “supporting” assistant coach Scott Camporeale in any quest to succeed Brendon Bolton at Carlton.
Pyke in 2017 lost another assistant — David Teague — who will replace Bolton as caretaker coach.
Adelaide is also privately salivating over the 2019 No. 1 draft pick courtesy of last year’s watershed live trade swap with the Blues. Adelaide is destined for the prized No. 1 pick with Carlton expected to finish with the wooden spoon.
Asked if Camporeale — who figured in 233 games for the Blues including the 1995 premiership — loomed as a candidate to replace Bolton, Pyke said: “He could be.”
“I think there is a long list of guys. I am sure Carlton will go through a process and if that is something Scott wants to pursue we will have conversation about what that looks like. That is up to Scott to decide whether he wants to throw his hat in the ring.”
Camporeale steered the Crows with stoicism as caretaker coach following the 2015 passing of head coach Phil Walsh.
Pyke conceded it would be a blow to lose the man he promoted to a strategic midfield position this season.
“His role has evolved from midfield to strategy and structure stuff and doing a great job,” said Pyke of Camporeale.
“He is a fantastic guide for me and help and if he wants to pursue that path we will support him.”
Teague resigned as forwards coach after Adelaide’s 2017 grand final loss to rejoin Carlton where he was 2004 best and fairest.
“Teaguey has been an assistant coach for a number of years and gets the opportunity to coach them for the remaining part of the season and will bring his experience to the role and get the going,” said Pyke.
Even if Camporeale or Teague take over at Carlton, Pyke is destined to hold the 2019 No. 1 draft pick. Adelaide traded pick No. 19 in the 2018 draft which Carlton used for Liam Stocker and future first round selection for Carlton’s 2019 first pick.
“It would be silly if I said it wouldn’t be (nice). We can’t control that. All we can control is winning games of footy, right now we are focused on this season and winning games of footy,” Pyke added.
Pyke said he was “sad” to see Bolton and North Melbourne’s Brad Scott bite the coaching dust this season.
“The initial reaction is I feel sad for them because they have put their heart and soul and to footy clubs and been moved on. They are wonderful footy people and I am sure we will see them around the traps for a number of years to come,” said Pyke.
“It was the same as when I heard about Brad Scott the week before. When you are one of 18 guys doing this job you feel for Brendon and Brad.”
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