Australian keeper batsman Alex Carey offers travel tips to Rory Sloane's Crows before entering AFL quarantine hub

Adelaide has turned to frequent flyer Alex Carey for travel survival hacks before entering an AFL quarantine hub in the Gold Coast from round three.

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Adelaide has tapped frequent flyer Alex Carey’s secrets for surviving life on the road as Australia’s vice-captain prepares for England one-day and IPL sojourns.

The Marshall Government has denied Adelaide and Port Adelaide fly-in, fly-out exemptions for AFL matches. The Crows invited Carey to address senior players on how best to manage at least a month based in quarantine lockdown on the Gold Coast for rounds 3-5.

“We have been doing a few running sessions and have some chats,” said Carey of his work with a Crows leadership group that encompasses Rory Sloane, Brodie Smith, Tom Doedee, Matt Crouch and Tom Lynch.

Redbacks skipper Travis Head, Jake Lehmann and Callum Ferguson return for pre-season training at Adelaide Uni loop. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

“They are potentially going away in a hub situation which is similar to going away on tour. So to be able to speak to senior guys at Crows, I can give them advice and if they take it, they take it.”

Adelaide and Port will be stationed to the Mercure Golf Resort on the Gold Coast where they will be permitted to leave for exercise and essential shopping. Australia’s cricketers are often confined to hotels on arduous subcontinent tours while families must get by without them at home or join for segments.

“There are situations where you are away from your family for some period of time,” said Carey with the Crows meeting Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in round 3, Brisbane at the Gabba then Fremantle at Metricon.

“It is always hard leaving your family but also some time to switch on and they will play some really good footy.”

Former GWS midfielder Carey’s insights will be invaluable to Crows coach Matthew Nicks’ group. Carey has plenty in common with Matt Crouch who was Melbourne Cricket Club’s A-grade keeper at 15 before concentrating on AFL.

Australia wicket keeper-batsman Alex Carey at Redbacks training. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Keeper-batsman Carey is accustomed to leaving wife Eloise and toddler Louis at home for months on end on tour with Australia’s limited overs sides around the globe.

Carey is optimistic about Australia’s 2020 limited overs series commencing against England in September then travelling for the India Premier League with Ricky Ponting’s Delhi Capitals in October. The Twenty20 World Cup in Australia is expected to shift from October to February 2021 due to complications around multiple teams travelling in a COVID-19 climate.

“If we get to go over to England that would be great for everyone. We want to see sport back, making sure it is healthy and safe enough for people to play cricket. Over there is probably a little worse than what we have got here so no doubt the pros will give us the advice on what we need to do,” said Carey who started pre-season training with the Redbacks on Monday.

“Things are changing every day and India will push for IPL to go ahead. It sounds like they are going to come out here this summer and if we can find a way to squeeze in a World Cup as well it will be the perfect situation.”

Carey said Jason Gillespie was at ‘Phar Lap odds’ to be South Australia’s next head coach once Mike Hussey’ SACA review was completed next month.

Originally published as Australian keeper batsman Alex Carey offers travel tips to Rory Sloane's Crows before entering AFL quarantine hub