Adelaide Crows’ utility Curtly Hampton is desperate to impress during the pre-season

WHY Crow Curtly Hampton values every minute of pre-season matches as he tries to break into Adelaide’s Round 1 team.

Curtly Hampton during the AFLX grand final. Picture: Sam Wundke/AAP

ADELAIDE utility Curtly Hampton says there is a rush for a spot in the Crows’ first match of the premiership season and will do everything in his power to continue to impress during the pre-season.

Hampton, who missed much of last year to injury – along with Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Kyle Cheney – reminded the coaching panel of his worth in the debut of AFLX at Hindmarsh this week.

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He had put up his hand to play and will do the same for the two trial matches, knowing there is a race between the fringe players and the younger player to make an impression.

“It’s a competition for spots,” Hampton said.

“Round 1 isn’t too far around the corner.

“We’ve got a couple of JLTs (practice matches) coming up but for blokes trying to get their name back up there and for young blokes trying to get a spot it’s a perfect opportunity.

“I was just grateful for the opportunity, coming off ankle surgery last year.

“When ‘Pykey’ (coach Don Pyke) said he wanted me to play a couple of games I was all for it.

“Just to be back out there enjoying footy again, having a kick, was the main thing for me.

“Spots are always going to be up for grabs – teams are never the same every year.

“You’ve just got to make the most of your opportunities, which I’ve learnt coming to a good club like Adelaide.”

Hampton, who came to the Crows after 51 games with GWS, said it would be tough to get into the side that made last year’s grand final.

It is why he wasn’t surprised at the Crows’ success in the AFLX, despite outsiders having been unimpressed by the lack of star players in the team.

“Our team goes so deep from the top of the list to the youngest player,” Hampton said. “We pride ourselves on having good depth in our side so anyone that goes on the field and has to play we have full confidence in them that they’re going to get the job done.

“So it wasn’t too much of a surprise.

“But it was definitely good to see some young blokes and some of the blokes coming off injuries – Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Kyle Cheney, younger blokes like Tommy Doedee – a lot of people wouldn’t have seen him before but we know what he’s capable off and it was good for him to get that exposure as well.

“To be able to go up against some other opposition was really good. To get the win was a bonus.

“We’re a competitive bunch of boys and we play to win; we want to create good habits around the club.

“Personally if they had it again next year I’d be up to play.

“I was a little bit sceptical before just because it was something new but in the end I thought it was really good and I wouldn’t be surprised if a few more people want to be involved next year.”