After taking the coaching reins at Saturday’s trial match, Crows development manager Heath Younie said he was thrilled to get a taste of what the Club’s small forward recruits can bring to the table.

Newcomers Shane McAdam (three goals) and Tyson Stengle (four) both impacted the scoreboard in their first competitive hit-out for the Crows.

“Our first-year players got great exposure to senior footy. A number of them showed exactly why they got picked and some of our older guys played above the level,” he said.

“For Stengle to kick four and McAdam three was great reward for their efforts in the forward line.”

As a whole, Younie said he was pleased with several connections across the ground.

“For our members to see the likes of defenders Jordon Butts and Lachlan Sholl connect with Chayce Jones and Ned McHenry through the middle and then finish with McAdam and Stengle in the goal square, that should excite them,” he said.

“That’s the future of our footy club right there.”

He was impressed by the performances of forwards Darcy Fogarty and Lachlan Murphy.

“I thought Darcy competed ahead of the ball well and did everything we asked of him,” he said.

“He’s had a strong pre-season and will be hoping for a chance in JLT.

“Lachie Murphy’s energy and effort was up there, he played at an AFL standard all match which was great to see.

“He’s done a lot a mountain of work over the pre-season so for him to produce a game like that holds him in good stead and gives him every chance to put his hand up for JLT this week.”

With the new rules in play, Younie said it was a great opportunity for the players to adjust to the new structures against a quality opposition.

“I think centre bounce becomes imperative in this game, we saw a number of goals come out of centre bounce and it doesn’t allow you to get a number back that quick - I think it will provide an exciting time for footy this year,” he said.

“For our guys, it was a great learning that you can’t switch off at any point and that’s not about what I expect, that’s what the game expects.”