AFL Media's Ask The Coach series saw Crows Senior Coach Don Pyke taking fan questions from Facebook this week.
Here are Pykey's responses to the selected submissions from the hot seat ahead of Adelaide's JLT Community Series opener against Fremantle on Sunday, February 25.
How do you go one better this year? – Jackson Mansell.
"We continue to work on virtually every area of our game, to be honest. We felt we made some real improvements last year with our contest work and our team defence.
"We’ll definitely keep working on those things for 2018."
Is Tom Doedee ready to replace Jake Lever? – Jack McGowan.
"Tom’s had a really outstanding pre-season.
"Unfortunately, (over) his previous two years he hasn’t been able to get much pre-season (training) time in.
"He’s trained really well throughout November, December, and into the new year, so we’re really excited to see what Tom can produce in the JLT.
"He’s given himself every chance to push for a senior spot this year."
Will Cam Ellis-Yolmen be a chance of getting a few games this year? – Jordy Berkholst.
"Cam Ellis-Yolmen, a great story!
"He’s come back (from an ACL reconstruction) after 12 months out, and I don’t know if you saw the other night at AFLX, but he’s fit.
"He’s big and he’s strong and he’s a guy we think has real potential to play through our midfield as that 190(cm) inside mid.
"We’re looking forward again to what Cam can produce in our JLT (Community) series, and he’ll be pushing for a spot for sure."
Have we learnt from past mistakes made in contract negotiations? – Alex Pinneri.
"It’s ongoing, the way we handle contract negotiations.
"Certainly, the list management group is reviewing every one of our contract negotiations post finalization of the contracts. We continue to learn in that space, quite clearly from our point there were some lessons last year in some of the negotiations we had.
"There were things we could have done differently, and maybe better, so we’ll keep improving in that space as well."
What role will Hugh Greenwood play? Is there room for him and his pressure acts in your midfield? – Ben Ayers
"Hugh was a revelation last year when he came in, in the middle of the season.
"As a midfielder, he was strong around the ball with his pressure acts, and his ability to not only win the ball, but to stick tackles around that contest was vital.
"We’ll continue to look at in in that role as well as giving him the option to play down forward. As a big-sized mid who can push forward, he can be really dangerous."
Hugh Greenwood could spend more time forward alongside Taylor Walker in 2018
Will Tex Walker be ready for Round One? – Bradley Neumann
"Yes, he will be. He’s out of the moon boot now and he starts running this week, so we’ll build him back up slowly.
"At this stage he’s on target for Round One."
Will Brodie Smith fit straight back into the best 22 when he recovers (from his ACL reconstruction)? – Brandon Bateman
"At this stage, Brodie’s going really well.
"He’s been running, and was in the US recently doing some extra rehab work with a specialist. At this stage he’s on track to return hopefully later in the season.
"We certainly haven’t ruled out Brodie playing this season, he’s clearly in our best 22.
"If his rehab continues to go well, and he was fit and available come the end of the season, he would be a bonus for the team to have."
How will you be using Bryce Gibbs this season? – Jack
"Bryce comes in primarily as a midfielder, so we’ll use him mainly as a mid, but he also has the flexibility to play as a wing or as a half back.
"We like the fact that Bryce will give us that depth through the midfield, but we also think he gives us the flexibility to play him in other roles.
"We’re starting to explore some of those, and you’ll probably see a little bit of that through the JLT."
Will Ben Jarman and Jackson Edwards feature in the senior side in 2018? – Nathan Glennie
"We’ll give both a chance, both are young men who are sons of 'former guns’ of ours.
"They’re training well, and hopefully will get some opportunities through the JLT (Community Series) and through intra-clubs as well.
"They’ll be pushing for selection, whether it’s for Round One or maybe a bit later on, we’ll see.
"They’re both progressing really nicely."
