Big names on the agenda as Adelaide Crows zero in on key off-field appointments to slot in next to new coach Matthew Nicks
Adelaide is taking its time to ensure it finds the right people to support new coach Matthew Nicks, with some big football names linked to the three key off-field vacancies.
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Adelaide is understood to be at least a week away from making any major off-field appointments as it searches the national market for three key vacancies.
While several big names, including Neil Balme and Mark Williams, have been linked to the club, the Crows remain in consultation with new coach Matthew Nicks about the best fit.
Adelaide, which is undergoing a major revamp on and off the field after two disastrous seasons following its 2017 grand final appearance, has three important vacancies to fill.
They include head of football following Brett Burton's dismissal, senior assistant coach after Scott Camporeale’s axing and the newly-created position of head of leadership and culture.
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This role was introduced following the external review into the club's operations, led by AFL greats Jason Dunstall and Matthew Pavlich.
First-time senior coach Nicks will have a big say in the appointments after replacing four-year mentor Don Pyke, who resigned with two years left on his contract in the middle of the damning review.
Nicks, introduced as Crows coach last Tuesday on a three-year deal, has returned to Adelaide after spending four days back in Sydney, where he was senior assistant coach to Leon Cameron at the Giants this year.
He will have a major say in Adelaide’s appointments and the club is understood to be flexible about the roles, believing if it can find the right man to run the football department it might just re-jig its coaching positions.
It is possible a highly respected figure such as assistant coach Michael Godden could be given more responsibility while more resources could be thrown into player development following the Crows’ decision to go younger next year.
The average age of the nine players the club has moved on was 30.66.
Highly respected Richmond general manager of football Balme’s name is understood to have been discussed at Adelaide.
He has had success at all the clubs where he has held a key management position — Geelong, Collingwood and the Tigers.
Power premiership coach Williams, West Coast general manager of football Craig Vozzo and Glenelg premiership coach Mark Stone have also had their names thrown up.
Nicks will also look close to home at the Giants’ coaching panel for a lieutenant he trusts.
“We now have a great opportunity to make new appointments to ensure that we are able to generate the balance and diversity of thought that our players need, together with an injection of resources into areas like leadership development which is increasingly important with an emerging group of younger leaders and a younger list profile,” chairman Rob Chapman said following the release of the external review.
“We have made some hard decisions and are transitioning into a new era, and rejuvenating what is already a talented playing list so we can hopefully achieve the ultimate success.”