Coach’s Message

MATTHEW NICKS

WE’RE READY.

Pre-season is such an important time of year and the progress you make over the summer months dictates what you can achieve during the home and away season. In our case, there is reason to be optimistic and as Senior Coach, I have the utmost confidence in the amount, as well as the quality, of work we have done.

Not only did we bring in some elite young talent through the draft and trade period but we also improved our broader football program with fitness and high performance personnel like Darren Burgess joining our Club. As you are probably aware, Darren is an elite operator who comes with a wealth of experience both here and internationally and he has been excited by what he has seen from our young group. Our players are committed, determined and continue to show a willingness to work hard. This industry has a way of throwing up unexpected challenges and our training program was recently impacted by Covid-19 health and safety protocols for about a two-week period. While not ideal, what it did show was the strength of the relationships that now exist among the group and a genuine care for one another. The connection was clear for all to see in our final game of last season when we beat North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval and that bond has only grown over another pre-season together.

We will once again have the youngest squad in the competition but our core young group has now played 25-50 games and they are learning and maturing together. We now have greater depth, guys are hungry for opportunities and there is healthy competition across both our AFL and SANFL teams. We will also benefit from having the on-field leadership of a fit Matt Crouch and likewise, the return of Wayne Milera from a long-term injury should not be under estimated. Throw in Jordan Dawson, who since arriving at the Club has impressed everyone with his work ethic and class, and our emerging talent like Riley Thilthorpe and Josh Rachele and we are in good shape. You often hear me talking about our DNA, by which I am referring to our game style or the way we play, and you saw it for extended periods in most games last year. Our challenge, and it has been one of our pre-season focuses, is to play ‘our way’ more often and for longer periods. We operate in a high performance industry and we will quite rightly be judged by wins and losses, and we welcome the expectation and pressure. Coaching experience tells me that if we can walk off the ground proud of our effort and the way in which we have executed on the game plan then the results will come. As players, coaches and staff, we have forged great trust in one another, and ultimately we want to make you proud. It goes without saying that you never let us down and your support from the stands is unbelievable. With big crowds returning to the footy, we can’t wait to get everyone back together and see a packed Adelaide Oval. There is no doubt the noise and atmosphere you create works to our advantage when we play at home and we look forward to sharing together in the exciting times ahead. Thanks again for your support.

Matthew Nicks AFL Senior Coach