Crows Head of Football Adam Kelly speaks on list changes, trade, draft and coaching structure

Adelaide Head of Football Adam Kelly spoke to the media on Friday, covering a range of topics.

Here are some key takeaways from Kelly’s press conference.

List Changes

Adelaide announced four list changes on Friday, with Ned McHenry, Will Hamill, Lachlan Gollant and Patrick Parnell being advised they would not be offered a contract for next season.

“To say it’s the least enjoyable part of the role would be accurate. Informing them that there wouldn’t be an opportunity for them next year was really tough,” Kelly said.

“Not only because you reflect on moments when you drafted them, when they made their debuts, but also their contributions to the Club, particularly off the field, because they are high character individuals,

“They are much loved by their teammates, much loved by the staff and they’ll be really missed. We hope they get another opportunity.”

Elliott Himmelberg’s move to Gold Coast via free agency

“Elliott informed us he was going to explore free agency, so we always anticipated that to be the case,” Kelly said.

“It’s good that Elliott gets another opportunity at another club.”

Players expressing interest in joining the Club

Greater Western Sydney midfielder James Peatling advised Adelaide of his desire to join the Club in the upcoming trade period.

Melbourne Premiership utility Alex Neal-Bullen has also asked to be traded to the Club.

Ahead of the 2024 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period, which starts on Monday, Kelly had the following to say:

“It’s good (James) has nominated that he wants to come to us,” Kelly said.

“I know there’s been a lot of interest in him from multiple clubs, that’s a trade we still need to work through and we are respectful of that.

“What’s been on show this year, particularly in the back half of the season and more opportunities were given (to him), what he’s been able to prove is that he’s a quality AFL footballer.

“We love his competitiveness, we love the speed he brings and his agility. He stood up in some finals as well, so he’s someone who’s on a really strong trajectory.

“(With Alex), we’ve had good conversations between us and Melbourne and that one has sort of been on the agenda for a little while.

“Talking more broadly about anyone who wants to join the group, it is pleasing that they can see themselves being part of that and they believe in the journey we are on.”

Acquiring Isaac Cumming

Unrestricted free agent Isaac Cumming joined the Crows on Friday as part of a deal with Greater Western Sydney.

Although Kelly spoke to the media before the trade was approved by the AFL, he had this to say about what Cumming would add to the side in 2025.

“It’s his versatility (that appealed to the Club), as a player and his athleticism,” Kelly said.

“Across 2021 and 2022, his performances were really high level.

“He’s had some injury challenges over the past two seasons but as shown this year. As soon as he was available, he was picked in their (GWS) team.

“He’s highly rated and we think he will give us athleticism and versatility as a half-back/wing.

“Not only that, he brings some experience as a 26-year-old into a group that’s been young and somewhat inexperienced.”

2024 Telstra AFL Draft

Ahead of the 2024 Telstra Draft and as of October 4, Adelaide has Pick No.4, 27, 44 and 62.

Kelly said holding onto the first pick was important.

“If everything plays out the way we hope over the next week or so (in the trade), what has been important to us is protecting Pick No.4 in and amongst all of that,” Kelly said.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence in this year’s draft and especially in that pointy end of the draft and that’s been pleasing we haven’t had to part with that as part of our negotiations.

“Certainly, our intent at this stage is to be ready to go to the draft with that pick (Pick No.4).”

2025 Coaching structure

Experienced assistant coach Murray Davis, who has been with the premiership-winning Brisbane Lions for the past 13 seasons, will join the Crows in the role of Coaching Director.

Kelly spoke about Davis’ new role and what he would add to the coaching structure.

“To acknowledge the success of Brisbane and I think we all as clubs look to the successful clubs and all credit to Chris and Danny Daly (Lions GM of Football) for the work they’ve done,” Kelly said.

“Then you look to the people behind some of that success, so Murray was somebody who piqued our interest. He’s been up there for 13 years, 12 of which he’s been an assistant coach.

“Once we identified a need to bring in someone to give our Coach support, he was certainly someone of a very shortlist of candidates we wanted to speak to.

“He’ll be invaluable for us. The experiences he’s been through and obviously what the Brisbane Football Club has been through as well and their rise to success, he brings all of that intelligence to the Crows.

“(His role) is more of a managerial, organisational type role.

“The role of any coach is a really big one and by bringing in a coaching director, he can take control of the training program and the schedule.

“It can take our Head Coach out of some of the meetings he currently has to sit in to spend more time with our players and to sharpen his focus where it needs to be directed.

“He’ll (Murray) be a great support and free up Nicksy to dedicate the time where he wants to dedicate his time and to that end, we know he’ll help us improve.

“The more we can support Matthew (Nicks) so he can get more time with the players and the leaders, the better we will be.

“Murray will sharpen that up for us as far as the way in which we run the program and structure our weeks and just take a load off and be that person Nicksy can go to.

“The one thing we have to acknowledge is that as soon as you make a call to bring in someone of that seniority and what is a highly constrained soft cap environment, that has the potential to have a squeeze somewhere else.