The Adelaide Football Club has appointed Phil Walsh as its Senior Coach for the next three years.

One of the game’s most respected tacticians, Walsh joins the Crows from Port Adelaide where he held the position of Midfield Manager in Season 2014.

Walsh, 54, spent the previous five years (2009-2013) at West Coast as Strategy and Innovation Coach. This followed an initial 10-year stint at the Power where he was regarded as playing a pivotal role in the club’s 2004 premiership. He started his 20-year coaching career overseeing strength and conditioning at Geelong in the 1990s.

From Hamilton in country Victoria, Walsh was also a talented player. The wingman played 122 games for Collingwood, Richmond and the Brisbane Bears, winning the Bears inaugural best and fairest award in 1987.

Crows Chairman Rob Chapman said the full Board had no hesitation in endorsing Walsh as Senior Coach.

“The feedback we have received from across the competition reinforces what we already knew – Phil Walsh is a quality individual and an outstanding football person,” Chapman said.

Chief Executive Andrew Fagan said Walsh was a perfect fit for the current playing group.

“Phil is a respected figure in the AFL and the right man to lead our Club down a path of sustained success,” Fagan said.

“Our search was thorough and intensive and he emerged as the standout candidate, possessing an astute football mind and team-first approach.”

Walsh said he was honoured to become the Club’s seventh Senior Coach.

“I would like to thank the Board for its belief and trust,” Walsh said.

“As a career coach, I am ready for the ultimate test and 100 percent committed to this fresh challenge. Success doesn’t come looking for you.

“You must chase it as a team, with a focus on hard work and elite habits.”