Adelaide’s inaugural coaching director impressed with Matthew Nicks as Crows resume training

The Crows’ first ever coaching director has revealed how he will go about the role and his initial thoughts on Matthew Nicks. Plus all the news from Adelaide’s return to pre-season training.

Adelaide’s first coaching director Murray Davis says he will initially observe rather than come in and stamp his authority on Matthew Nicks’ coaching panel.

After conceding they may have been “underdone” in the coaches box as they went backwards in 2024, the Crows appointed the former Brisbane assistant as their inaugural coaching director.

On day one of pre-season at West Lakes, Davis said it was too early to say where the support around Nicks and the coaches needed to be bolstered.

“Firstly my main role is to be here to support the coaching group, starting with Nicksy and all the coaches, the development coaches, the assistant coaches and just to focus on how we can improve.

Murray Davis (R) is Adelaide’s first ever coaching director. Picture: Getty Images

“It is probably too early to answer that one just yet, I think it is really about myself coming in and observing.

“I’m also here to learn from them as well but really it is just observe, pre-Christmas there will be some things that I can add value with which is what I am here to do and in the new year I’ll be better placed to answer that.”

Another year without finals has heaped the pressure on Nicks, who has two years left on an extension he signed in March.

It was the second time the Crows have conceded that more support needed to be around Nicks, boosting the assistant coaching panel after their wooden spoon in 2020.

Davis said he would be working alongside Nicks and Crows footy boss Adam Kelly and he was impressed with the desire of the Adelaide senior coach and others at the club to improve.

“He has been terrific,” he said.

“What I have seen early days is that he is very invested in making sure that we improve and that is what we are here to do.

“What I have been impressed with is how connected the group is and how hard they are working together.”

Adelaide coaches chat after the 2024 season. Picture: Getty Images

The 15th placed finish by the Crows came after a slow start to their 2024 campaign.

Another slow start in 2025 would further ramp up the pressure, but Davis said remaining calm was key - as shown by how his former side started their campaign slowly and ended up winning the premiership.

“I think one of the biggest lessons I learnt from my time in Brisbane was remaining calm and making sure that we don’t deviate from what our focus is,” he said.

The Crows entire group was back on the track at West Lakes on Monday.

While other sides who also didn’t make finals have been back for weeks, the Crows have waited until this week to officially begin pre-season.
Davis said that was around “handing the ownership” to the players.

Two new recruits caught the eye on the first day at West Lakes.

As predicted by players, Melbourne premiership player Alex Neal-Bullen blitzed the field in the 2km time trial.

Defender Hugh Bond, who looks to have put on some size finished second, while ex-GWS defender Isaac Cumming was third.

Young gun Dan Curtin also impressed in the running part of the session.

Forward Riley Thilthorpe only walked laps as he deals with a tight back but is expected to be running this week.

Star Izak Rankine had a shortened session, while defenders Jordon Butts and Mitch Hinge trained away from the group.

Draftees Sid Draper and Tyler Welsh were spared the time trial and after doing some drills were on the exercise bike along with back-up ruckman Kieran Strachan.

The Crows will ease the two draftees into training as pre-season progresses.

Originally published as Adelaide’s inaugural coaching director impressed with Matthew Nicks as Crows resume training