Adelaide chairman John Olsen expecting Grant Stevens to make a substantial on Crows board
Ahead of Mark Ricciuto’s retirement, Adelaide chairman John Olsen approached South Australian police commissioner Grant Stevens with a clear plan for the club’s board.
Adelaide Crows chairman John Olsen says South Australian police commissioner Grant Stevens will make a substantial contribution in his new role on the club’s board.
Stevens revealed that Olsen approached him asking if he would be interested in becoming a director, ahead of the retirement of Crows great Mark Ricciuto.
Adelaide added football acumen to the board in February by appointing experienced administrator Neil Balme and former St Kilda list boss James Gallagher.
So it sought a different skillset in Ricciuto’s replacement and, after going through potential candidates via a governance process that included recommendations from an independent advisory group, the board gave Stevens the nod.
Olsen told this masthead the state’s police commissioner would be an excellent addition.
“I’ve got no doubt his contribution is going to be substantial,” Olsen said.
“He brings experience in areas of integrity, risk, governance, leadership and managing a very diverse workforce.”
Olsen said board positions were coveted by many highly qualified, skilled people.
“People from the board put names forward, past board members, presidents … and you prepare a list of people who would be potential candidates,” he said.
Ricciuto stood down as a director in line with the Crows’ constitution that limited terms to 12 years.
Olsen said Adelaide’s longest-serving captain made an enormous contribution and that his work during the rebuild, avoiding sugar hits, positioned the club to have sustained success.
A Crows fan since their inception in 1991, Stevens began leading the state’s law enforcement 10 years ago, had been in the police force for four decades and was SA co-ordinator during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stevens told FIVEaa he was very happy to contribute to the direction of the Crows.
“I was approached by John Olsen to inquire whether I might be interested and I certainly indicated that I would’ve considered it a privilege to be considered as a member of the Adelaide Crows board,” Stevens said.
“It’s a really good time for the Crows and I’m excited to be part of it in a different way besides as a supporter.”
Asked to name his favourite Crow, Stevens said he had a soft spot for veteran Taylor Walker
“because he’s the only player I know who has a touch of grey hair, which is something I’ve been inflicted with”.
Ricciuto told Triple M his time on the board was a bit of a rollercoaster.
He named helping to convince the late Phil Walsh to coach Adelaide in 2015 as the best thing he did for the club and the controversial 2017 pre-season camp as one of the toughest.
“One thing I’m really proud of is the state of the footy club at the moment,” said Ricciuto, who would remain on Adelaide’s list management committee.
“Hopefully it’s going to be a good period in the next few years with the Adelaide Crows.”
Originally published as Adelaide chairman John Olsen expecting Grant Stevens to make a substantial on Crows board
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