They helped Adelaide win through to its first grand final in 19 years but he also oversaw the Gold Coast camp and subsequent departure
From a grand final and the infamous power stance to the pre-season camp, silent treatment and an external review - it’s been an indifferent few years for Don Pyke, Brett Burton and Scott Camporeale
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From Showdown wins, a grand final and the infamous power stance to the pre-season camp, silent treatment and an external review, we look back at what led to the end of Don Pyke, Scott Camporeale and Brett Burton's tenure at the Crows.
April, 2017
Adelaide wins its opening six games of the year to sit a game clear on top of the AFL ladder, after scoring 100 more points than any other side.
September, 2017
The infamous ‘power stance’ makes its first appearance as Adelaide charges into its first grand final since 1998 after convincing finals victories over GWS and Geelong.
September 30, 2017
Richmond shatters the dreams of a long-awaited premiership, defeating the Crows by 48 points. Following the loss, Pyke says “It is important we now reflect and ask, ‘What do we learn out of this week?’ It is a long way back.”
And they never got there.
February, 2018
Pyke and the football department take the playing group on the now-controversial pre-season camp, led by Collective Mind — a ‘mind performance company’ — on the Gold Coast.
May 27, 2018
With his side trailing Melbourne by 80 points in Alice Springs, rather than a heated spray, Pyke gives his side the silent treatment at three-quarter-time. Adelaide went on to lose by 91 points — the worst loss in Pyke’s time at the Crows.
June 23, 2018
Pyke and Head of football Director Brett Burton face the media, as pressure and speculation grows, and admit to “oversights” and “leanings” from the camp. The club cut ties with Collective Mind.
August, 2018
As the injury toll and the fallout from the pre-season camp continued, the Crows miss the finals for the first time since 2014.
August 31, 2018
At the Crows’ club champion award, Pyke acknowledged the club “made some mistakes” admitting “in our drive to improve in our program both in our physical and mental side, in hindsight, seeking gains, maybe we pushed too far. And that I regret.”
October 25, 2018
Adelaide is cleared by the AFL of breaking any league rules or policy during the mind-training camp.
January 21, 2019
Don Pyke appoints Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane as co-captains for the first time in the club’s history.
May 11, 2019
After a slow start, Adelaide records its fourth-consecutive win, after the 20-point victory over the Power, as Pyke admits to the Crows’ new emphasis on defence.
July 28, 2019
Pyke calls a club-wide meeting at his home and puts on beer and pizza after the loss — Adelaide’s ninth for the year — to Carlton at the MCG. The Crows would win just two games after the mid-season bye.
August 25, 2019
The Bulldogs beat the Crows by 34 points in Round 23, in what would be Pyke’s final game in charge, leaving Adelaide in 11th position on the AFL ladder at the completion of the minor round.
August 26, 2019
Adelaide announced it has commenced a review of its football operations, which will be conducted by a panel of external experts.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2019
Pyke, Chapman and Fagan face the media at West Lakes. Pyke – Adelaide’s third-longest serving coach – says his decision to leave has “been an extremely difficult one” based on “what was best for the football club’’.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
Adelaide’s list overhaul moves into full-swing as ruckman Sam Jacobs tells the club he wants to exercise his free-agency rights. A week later, the 31-year-old reveals his intention to sign a two-year deal with the Giants. It follows the delisting of veteran Richard Douglas and retirement of Andy Otten in August.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2019
The exodus continues, with forward Josh Jenkins agreeing to part ways and look for other opportunities in 2020. Manager Paul Connors said Jenkins would take a “significant pay cut” to do so.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
Out-of-contract key defender Alex Keath is the next to walk, asking for a trade to the Bulldogs in 2020.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2019
After eight inconsistent and injury-plagued years, midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen informs the Crows he will pursue his rights as an unrestricted free agent.OCTOBER 1, 2019 Adelaide confirms that out-of-contract midfielder Hugh Greenwood has requested a trade to the Gold Coast Suns.
OCTOBER 3, 2019
Amid reports that he will leave West Lakes, star midfielder Brad Crouch wins Adelaide’s Club Champion Award. Chapman says the review will be finalised and new coach announced “within the next 14 days”
OCTOBER 5, 2019
Ellis-Yolmen becomes the first Crow to officially join a rival club, signing a three-year deal with Brisbane. Reports continue that Eddie Betts will return to Carlton.
THURSDAY
The Advertiser reveals that dual Brownlow medallist Robert Harvey is the latest candidate to meet with Adelaide’s coaching selection panel. Matthew Nicks, Leon Cameron’s right-hand man at the Giants, and Hawthorn assistants Scott Burns and Adem Yze are believed to be leading the race.
FRIDAY
Adelaide announces the findings of its external review. Football boss Brett Burton and assistant coach Scott Camporeale are sacked. A new position – head of leadership and culture – will improve communication between staff, coaches and players. The club says its new senior coach will be announced next week.