The youngsters are coming but David Mackay insists he is still a first-choice player at Adelaide

Veteran speedster David Mackay insists he is still in Adelaide’s best 22, despite having a host of nippy youngsters snapping at his heels.

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Veteran speedster David Mackay insists he is still in Adelaide’s best 22, despite having a host of nippy youngsters snapping at his heels.

Mackay, 30, will enter his 13th AFL season as the Crows’ fourth-oldest player after Eddie Betts (32), Richard Douglas (31) and Sam Jacobs (30) and while he hasn’t always been a fan favourite, he believes he still has plenty to offer coach Don Pyke’s team.

“I certainly feel that when I am up and going and playing my best that I can contribute really well to this group,’’ he said.

David Mackay, middle, at Crows pre-season training. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Wundke

“I’ve got no doubting that (that he is a first-choice player), so my responsibility is to get myself in the best shape possible and then perform, it’s really simple for me.

“I certainly believe that I can do that and will be able to do that as the season unfolds.’’

Wingman/half-back Mackay is one of only 16 men to have played 200 games for the Crows.

He chalked up his milestone in round 21 against GWS last year and has now played 202 matches.

Mackay has felt the heat at training from last year’s first-round draftees, the pacy Chase Jones and Ned McHenry, while there are other young players gunning for a spot in the team.

But he said his is not fazed by the competition.

“I think it’s a really positive thing,’’ said Mackay, who signed a one-year contract extension late last season.

“I’ve felt the pressure since the day I walked into the club (in 2006) and you want it that way because it brings the best out of you, it certainly brings the best out of me.

“Those guys (Jones and McHenry) have come in and really injected something into our group — and ultimately it’s about what we can do and achieve as a group — so the more pressure there is for spots then the better it is for us as a team.’’

Adelaide Crows youngster Ned McHenry. Picture: Simon Cross

Mackay, who played 17 games last season after missing a month with a cracked rib, said he expected to play a similar half-back/wing role.

“Like a lot of our players, I am encouraged to play different roles and be flexible,’’ he said.

“Whether that's back or mid is something I need to sit down with the coaches about closer to the season to work out.

“But I’m still aiming to play both roles and play both roles as best as I can.’’

While there are leg injury concerns over key defenders Danial Talia, Kyle Hartigan and Tom Doedee, Mackay said he had never known an Adelaide team to be in such good shape at this time of the year.

“We’ve come back (to pre-season training) in great shape and, in my time at the club, haven’t been better positioned physically at this time of the year,’’ he said.