Adelaide Crows pre-season: All the training standout as recruit James Peatling makes his mark
As pre-season training heats up, James Peatling is showing exactly why the Crows were so keen to get him to West Lakes, setting the tone during match sim on Monday.
New Crow James Peatling has set the tone during a physical training session, burying skipper Jordan Dawson in a heavy tackle moments into Adelaide’s match simulation on Monday.
Peatling, who moved from GWS during the trade period, impressed in several moments throughout the session and showed why the club was eager to bring him to West Lakes after a breakout 2024 campaign.
The midfielder-forward, sporting an Adelaide bucket hat, corralled his new captain along the boundary line before wrapping him up in a strong tackle.
Starting in the midfield and going forward, he also showed nimble feet to send SANFL recruit Blake Drury the wrong way in an attack, while he also showed some good footskills at times.
It’s early days but key Crows figures are extremely impressed with Peatling and fellow recruits Alex Neal-Bullen and Isaac Cumming.
Neal-Bullen excelled in linking the midfield and forward line with his strong ball use, but his leadership is also impressing those within the Crows’ camp.
It wouldn’t be a massive surprise if he is added to the Crows leadership group.
Cumming continues to look classy with the ball in defence during match-sim, but also had some good defensive moments on Monday.
He was plagued with soft-tissue injuries in his final seasons at the Giants, but Cumming has been fully fit during his time at the Crows.
Peatling’s tackle wasn’t the only big one at Richmond Oval on Monday, with forward Ben Keays absolutely crunched young defender Max Michalanney during match sim.
A number of players were managed from the session.
Talisman Taylor Walker sat out after reporting hamstring soreness on Friday, while Luke Pedlar is also dealing with a similar issue.
Riley Thilthorpe, Mitch Hinge, Luke Nankervis and Jordon Butts were also on the sidelines on Monday – while Wayne Milera ran away from the main group during match sim.
After tearing it up last week draftee Sid Draper was also managed on Monday.
Young defender Oscar Ryan, who has also impressed, suffered a corkie before match sim happened but is expected to be fine, while the Crows announced on Monday that back-up ruckman Kieran Strachan is expected to be sidelined for four months after having surgery on his foot on Friday.
PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED
Dan Curtin
Used forward at the start of pre-season, the former No. 8 draft pick was used in the midfield during match sim on Monday. The 197cm tall was used as a big bodied midfielder last season and it looks like the Crows could again use him there in 2025.
Jake Soligo
Looks to have significantly improved his tank with some gut running impressing in particular on Monday. Josh Rachele and Izak Rankine were also thrown through the midfield at times during match sim so the make-up of the Crows engine room will be one to watch.
Charlie Edwards
Drafted as a taller midfielder, Edwards was used at half-back for what appeared to be the Crows stronger defensive unit during match sim. He provided a nice contest at times and whether he stays in the backline is set to be something to monitor.
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