Crows boss Andrew Fagan says former coach Don Pyke found it ‘tough’ dealing with intense public scrutiny while at Adelaide

Adelaide boss Andrew Fagan says ex-coach Don Pyke struggled to cope with public scrutiny while at the Crows. It follows the AFL Coaches Association last week revealing it was concerned for his wellbeing when he exited West Lakes.

Crows Coach Don Pyke, Chairman Rob Chapman and CEO Andrew Fagan talk to media at a press conference at Adelaide Crows HQ in West Lakes about Don Pyke's decision to step down as Senior Coach of the Adelaide Football Club. (AAP/Emma Brasier)

• How Mickan returned to the Crows
• How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription

Adelaide Crows chief executive Andrew Fagan says former coach Don Pyke is “going all right”, after AFL Coaches Association boss Mark Brayshaw raised concerns for his mental wellbeing immediately following his departure from West Lakes.

Brayshaw last week said Pyke and his family had been “chewed up and spat out” by the ruthless AFL system, and described the departures of all five head coaches who quit or were sacked in 2019 as “nasty”.

Pyke resigned from the senior coach position at the Crows in September, revealing that being an AFL coach had taken a big toll on him and his family.

Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial >

Former coach Don Pyke (left) announcing his resignation in September alongside Crows chairman Rob Chapman and chief executive Andrew Fagan. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

He said coaching was “leading to a wide range of issues around contentment’’.

Fagan said he was confident Pyke would be back in the footy system at some point.

“I think he is going all right,” Fagan said on SEN SA.

“I haven’t spoken to him over the last couple of weeks.

“I’m sure he is enjoying his time away from the footy spotlight.”

But Fagan added he thought Pyke struggled dealing with the Adelaide fishbowl.

“I think he found it tough at times, as we all do,” he said.

Yesterday, close to 200 concerned North Adelaide residents packed into a community forum for an, at times, fiery discussion about the Crows’ proposed redevelopment of the Aquatic Centre site.

Fagan said the club had offered those opposing its plans to relocate its training base and headquarters to the site the opportunity to meet for “material discussions”.

An artist’s impression of what the Crows want to do with the Aquatic Centre. Picture: Supplied

However, he added this had been declined, with the parklands advocates instead choosing to run community forums like the one staged yesterday – where the Crows have been criticised for not having representatives at.

“They have declined these meetings, to date, to prefer PR opportunities,” Fagan said.