Adelaide utility Dan Curtin says Skipper Jordan Dawson is helping to fast track his development, as he continues to navigate a positional switch ahead of the 2025 season.

Curtin began his AFL career as a key defender, after being drafted to the Crows with Pick No.8 at the 2023 National Draft.

But a mid-season switch up soon led to Curtin ending his debut campaign as midfielder/forward.

Now embarking on his second AFL pre-season, he is training with the midfield group, and has looked to the Crows’ reigning two-time Club Champion for inspiration.

“I’ve been leaning on Daws quite a bit over the pre-season, really trying to pick his brain and take some of his traits into my game,” Curtin told AFC Media.

“Training in the midfield group now, I’ve had the benefit of spending more time with him, doing craft sessions with him and asking him about how he attacks the game. 

“Being a taller midfielder he is somebody I really admire, and I’m so fortunate to be able to learn off him as I continue to get my head around the new role.”

The 19-year-old said he had enjoyed learning a new position and was keen to take his game to a new level in 2025.

“Moving into a bit of a different role and having a crack through the midfield has been really exciting, and I’m just loving coming in and getting to work every day,” Curtin said.

“The big focus for me is improving my midfield craft, using my frame as one of the bigger bodies in the team to my advantage, and I feel like I’m improving that side of my game with every session.”

From a physical point of view, Curtin is reaping the benefits of having experienced an AFL pre-season last year.

He said having one full pre-season under his belt had helped him understand what worked for him.

“I feel like I’m getting better with every session, my body is a bit bigger now and I’ve got a better understanding of how to use my strengths which has been nice,” Curtin said.

“I just feel much more comfortable than this time last year, my body is more adept to what is required and I’ve got greater confidence that it will be able to stand up to the workload better. 

“I came back from Perth a couple of weeks early to get back into training with the boys, as the sessions at home by myself got quite tough, so it was nice to get the solid block with the rest of the squad before we started up - and I feel I’ve benefited from that in the first couple of weeks.”