Day two of the Crows pre-season camp sees players ditch the oval ball for anything that’s round

The Adelaide Crows fun-focused camp has continued without a football in sight and some highly questionable cricket skills on full display. So who missed their true calling?

• Crow’s take it easier with closer to home pre-season camp

Football? What football.

There wasn’t a football in sight as day two of the Crows pre-season camp kicked off on the Fleurieu Peninsula: it was all about bocce, volleyball and cricket instead.

And for the kids on summer holidays at a Normanville cabin park, it was like Christmas had come early when they woke to find the place awash with Crows players.

The awe-struck kids couldn’t believe their eyes as they emerged from their villas at the South Shores complex at breakfast time to find the central lawn area overtaken by the team.

Excited, they all settled in on the edges to watch.

While the action of the volleyball and bocce games was intense, the largest crowds were drawn in by the loud and competitive games of cricket being played out under the gum trees.

Richard Douglas starred with the bat, knocking the tennis ball over some far away bushes for six.

Richard Douglas swings for the fence. Picture: Tait Schmaal

after being clean bowled by Sam Jacobs it appeared that cricket wasn’t Eddie Betts’ strong suit, until he got his eye in and started belting the ball too.

When Jacobs also clean bowled Taylor Walker, he could have been considering a career change but Riley Knight’s performance behind the stumps left a bit to be desired.

By this stage, the holidaying kids started sneaking up behind the gum trees to get closer and a couple plucked up the courage to ask Betts for a selfie — he happily obliged and the kids ran off elated.

This year’s Crows pre-season camp is part of what appears to be a laid-back approach the club is taking to pre-season team bonding, which midfielder Paul Seedsman said was paying dividends on the training track.

“It’s really positive, we’ve had a great block pre-Christmas and had some great numbers out on the track which has been really good for us, compared to the last year’s pre-Christmas block I wouldn’t be surprised if the numbers have just about doubled,” he said.

“And I don’t think there’s too many blokes in rehab which is great.”

Rory Sloane assesses his bocce efforts. Picture: Tait Schmaal

seedsman — who missed all but five games of the 2017 season through injury and succumbed to the Crows hamstring curse for three games in 2018 — said his pre-season was going well, despite a modified load going into Christmas.

“I’ve still been able to get quite a few ks in the legs and feeling really good and looking forward to building on that throughout January and hopefully not missing too many sessions.”

Seedsman, who signed on with the Crows for another three years in August, said his aim for season 2019 was to play consistent football.

“Last season was the first year I played next to all the games, I think I only missed three so (my aim is) to play all 22 and then play finals,” he said.

If he manages to stay injury-free, 2019 will see him reach the 100-AFL-game milestone (he’s currently on 88). However he’s more concerned about working on his consistency.

“And rolling out every week and being able to perform for the team.”

But when it came to the cricket game, Seedsman wasn’t able to perform any role at all with the bat.

“I only hit one shot and they all let me know about it,” he said.

Tom lynch comes to terms with an American football. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Taylor Walker looks to sky one. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Recruit Tyson Stengle was able to continue his rapid immersion into his new club with a quick knock, while reigning club champion Rory Laird also proved himself with bat. But when Laird took a diving one-handed catch as the ball bounced unpredictably off a gum’s branches, he was given the loudest cheer.

After sitting out a paintball session the day before, Tom Lynch piled on some runs and Rory Sloane tried for a diving catch in slips.

Controversy erupted when head coach Don Pyke claimed a screamer in the outfield but photographic evidence seemed to suggest that the ball had touched the ground, evoking the recent was-it-wasn’t-it Peter Handscomb catch in the Second Test.

Eddie Betts takes some chunks out of the pitch. Picture: Tait Schmaal

By the time the morning finished up, some of the awe-struck kids were joining in fielding in the outfield hoping to catch a big hit from assistant coach Ben Hart. They were also more confident in approaching their favourite players and asking for photos: Sloane and Hugh Greenwood was singled out.

The camp finishes on Wednesday with an open training session at Noarlunga ahead of a team lunch before everyone breaks for Christmas.

Seedsman — who will be heading to Harvey Bay to spend Christmas with his mum — said the camp had been a great opportunity for the team to spend time together.

“And for the young boys and the coaches to get to know everyone … it’s just good team bonding,” he said.

Originally published as Day two of the Crows pre-season camp sees players ditch the oval ball for anything that’s round