Adelaide half-back Brodie Smith says he has faith in the Club’s list to bounce back from 2018 and be amongst the best sides next year.
The 26-year-old said the players had returned to training with renewed enthusiasm and optimism after a disappointing season.
"We were really feeling the pressure of trying to get back to the Grand Final and the disappointment of the year before,” Smith told reporters on Thursday.
"Coming off last year, we feel it's a bit of a fresh start and we've got a point to prove.
"We feel like we're hunting now, we're back into trying to get ourselves into that top-eight, top-four spot.
"Our list is great… we know if we do everything right now in the pre-season, get fit, there's no reason why we can't be one of the best teams next year."
IN HIS OWN WORDS: An open letter from Brodie Smith
After missing the majority of 2018 as he recovered from a torn ACL, Smith said he could not wait to get back on the track this pre-season.
“I was actually excited for pre-season for once which is a bit different, but it’s a lot better than being stuck in the pool doing rehab,” he said.
“We’ve come back in really good condition this year… some guys did PBs in the 2km time trial and everyone’s training at a high intensity already, which is a good start.
“There are always some guys in rehab because of off-season surgeries but the list is in really good shape early.”
Smith said he was relieved to have already made his return from injury last season.
“It was really good for me because now I’m not waiting until JLT Round One for a comeback game… it feels like I’m coming into a fresh season,” he said.
“It was good to get a good performance in too, it gives me confidence that heading into Round One that I’m ready to go and get back to my best.”
WATCH: Smith's return to AFL
Smith is working closely with highly-renowned Crows physio Steve Saunders, who joined the club full-time at the end of last season.
"Steve Saunders is keen to get a lot of hip work and core work into me," Smith said.
"He's got some studies behind coming back from (reconstructions) and the benefits of all that sort of hip work, so there are a few new things for me to build on."
Adelaide’s six draftees Chayce Jones, Ned McHenry, Will Hamill, Lachlan Sholl, Kieran Strachan and Jordon Butts completed their first training session at West Lakes on Thursday morning.
Crows midfielder Jordan Gallucci and winger David Mackay are on modified loads as they overcome injuries.
Gallucci, who has been suffering from toe pain, is expected to be back running in the next week.
After undergoing minor surgery to his Achilles last month, Mackay is due to be back running in approximately a fortnight.
