James Podsiadly is itching to pull on the Crows guernsey for the first time on Sunday, saying he felt ready to play “three weeks ago”.
Podsiadly joined Adelaide in October after 83 games, including the 2011 premiership, for Geelong.
The competitive key forward will line up alongside fellow high-profile recruit, Eddie Betts, in Adelaide’s opening NAB Challenge game against Port Adelaide at Richmond Oval on Sunday. Tickets for the match, which starts at 4:10pm, are available here.
Podsiadly said it was important he and Betts developed a good on-field understanding of their new teammates.
“It’s not for four premiership points, but it’s exciting to be putting on a new jumper and playing with teammates I haven’t played with before apart from at training,” Podsiadly said on Tuesday.
“It’s a new-look forward line, so getting cohesion is pretty important at this time of year. We’ve being doing a lot of match simulation with the same sort of forward line throughout the pre-season, so the cohesion is getting better. It’s about knowing our patterning, where another player runs, how they kick the ball and how far.
“It’s those simple things you need to know and it only comes through playing games.”
Podsiadly played 23 of a possible 25 games last season.
The 32-year-old, who averaged 42 goals in four years with the Cats, was confident he could play a significant role in the Crows team in 2014.
“I feel like I’m ready to play, like I could’ve played three weeks ago,” he said.
“I’m going to prepare to play every game because I think it’s doing an injustice to the Club if I don’t prepare like that. I’m in a good place. The fitness staff have done a fantastic job.
“Now it’s up to us ...”
Podsiadly has impressed on and away from the football field since arriving at West Lakes.
A former member of Geelong’s physical performance team, the 193cm, 100kg, is rated as one of the most powerful athletes at Adelaide by Physical Performance Coach Nick Poulos.
“In terms of who is the most powerful athlete at the Club, it would be a battle between Danger and Pods. Pods’ speed off the mark is great, so explosive. It will be a real asset for us in the forward line,” Poulos said.
Already a strong leader within the Crows playing group, Podsiadly said his early impressions of the Club were very good.
“The professionalism at the Club has been sensational,” Podsiadly said.
“The fitness staff have done a great job, and the coaching staff have done a remarkable job teaching these players what it takes to win games of footy and play a certain style. Coming in as an older ‘new’ player, that’s one thing that’s really stood out.
“The Club has proven to me I made the right decision in coming here. They’re very diligent, very professional and very hungry as well.”
Podsiadly was also full of praise for Betts, who will make his first official appearance as a Crow on Sunday as well.
“Eddie is very impressive and off the track. He’s taken a bit of a mentoring role with some of the younger guys straight away, which is something I didn’t know too much about Eddie,” he said.
“On the track, he’s as vibrant as he is off it. His skills and execution during training is fantastic. Any player or coach you speak to will have the same sentiments.”
Get onboard with Pods, Eddie and the team this season! Crows membership starts from only $25 for kids and $50 for adult. Find out more about joining the Club
