Adelaide Vice Captain and reigning dual Club Champion Ben Keays says there are a number of players who are impressing on the track this pre-season.

The Crows took part in a rigorous training session at Norwood Oval on Friday, with Members and fans watching on as players participated in match simulation, as well as craft drills.

Speaking to the media post-session, Keays said there were plenty of positive signs ahead of the 2025 season.

“It was a good session, a strong hit-out (today),” Keays said.

“There were a few (standouts), Izak (Rankine) through the midfield was electric, as he always is. 

“I reckon Fog up-forward as well. He’s obviously had a strong couple of years and he just continues to get better. (Rachele) has been electric. He’s a really hard worker, so it’s not surprising he’s improved so much since he came to the Club.

“I think the pleasing sign is that there’s a lot who are training really well. Obviously it was our first hit-out, so we don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves but there were some strong performances.”

For the first time this year, the Crows also had four AFL umpires officiate their match simulation game.

Keays said having the umpires there helped players improve their decision making, and allowed them to receive feedback on specific styles of play.

“(They help with) little things, like the standing of the mark rule, and what other teams have been doing with that rule,” Keays said.

“We are making little tweaks with that and trying to make sure we’re across the rules and trying to make the most of it and getting every advantage we can.

“Those sessions (with the umpires) are really valuable.”

Keays, who capped a career-best season in 2024 by jointly winning the Club’s Malcolm Blight Medal alongside Skipper Jordan Dawson, was likely to again feature with the forwards this coming season.

Reflecting on his approach to the role, Keays said it was important for him to continue to work hard and further improve.

“I was just trying to be consistent in that role and I felt like I got my head around it, learnt it really well and was just trying to perform," Keays said.

“I guess it was just putting in a body of work learning the role and working with the guys up-forward, so I am really looking forward to working with the guys there again, they’ve been brilliant, teaching me how to do it, and I’m really excited.”

Adelaide will play an internal trial in Port Pirie on February 14, before pre-season games against Port Adelaide (February 21) and Brisbane (February 27).

The Crows’ 2025 season kicks off with a clash against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, March 16.

To view the Club’s full 2025 fixture, click here.