Reinventing yourself is no easy feat, but when it comes to taking on a challenge and adapting for the betterment of those around him, Crows Vice Captain Ben Keays is up for the task. 

A mainstay in Adelaide’s midfield after crossing from Brisbane as a delisted free agent in 2020, the 27-year-old was thrust into the role of a small pressure forward, as the Club went about developing its next wave of on-ballers. 

Keays took the change in his stride, dedicating his pre-season to learning the craft of a forward, and developing his game.

And, what followed, was arguably his most consistent season to date and recognition of that, becoming a joint Malcolm Blight medallist. 

Speaking to AFC Media, the Queenslander reflected on the shift.

“I started (to make the move) last year but sort of mixed my time between the forward line and the midfield, but by the end of the season I saw myself becoming that permanent forward (in 2024),” Keays said. 

“From there I locked in and focused in on that role (as a forward) over the pre-season and the more and more I trained it, the more I felt I grew into it. 

“I think it was probably the most consistent I’ve been in my role, learning the forward caper helped and being able to execute that was a big goal for me, so I was happy I managed to tick that off.

“I definitely added a string to my bow (being able to play that position) and became much more versatile, which is always important and helped me take my game to another level.”

Keays said he grew more comfortable in the role as the season went on.

“I feel my game was pretty similar (throughout the season), but as a team we tweaked a few things, which maybe brought me into the game a bit more with a few structural things,” Keays said. 

“Being in the team the whole season also helped me build that consistency in my game, and gave me a lot of confidence which I think came through the back end of the year. 

“Overall if you compare the start of the year to the end, I think our structure was a lot better, we ironed a few things out that hindered us at the start of the year, and as a result I was able to play some better footy.” 

If there was a match that typified the quality of Keays’ campaign, Adelaide’s Friday night blockbuster against Essendon at Marvel Stadium instantly springs to his mind. 

A match dominated by momentum swings, the one constant was the output of the Crows’ Vice Captain, with his five goals and 22 disposals inspiring his team to a two-point victory. 

“For me (the highlight of the season) was the Friday night win against Essendon at Marvel Stadium, obviously for me personally it was the best game of my career,” Keays said. 

“But as a team to grit that out, with the young players we had out there on the park and injuries we copped during the night, that was just outstanding and showed just how good we can be. 

“Those are the type of wins you will always remember, and it's a night I will look back very fondly on once my career is all said and done.” 

Assessing the season as a whole, Keays was disappointed with the Crows’ 15th-placed finish, but believed the lessons learnt will put the squad in good stead moving forward. 

“I think we’ve learnt a great deal from this year, there was a bit of expectation on us, and I think over the course of the season we got better at handling that,” Keays said. 

“Going through the ups and downs we did this season, it will only make us better moving forward, and I along with the rest of the squad are as hungry as ever to improve in 2025. 

“I’m confident we’ve got the cattle to take us where we want to go, we just need to get to work and ensure we hit the ground running next season.”