Young gun Chayce Jones made a statement at the Crows’ first 2km time trial on Saturday morning.

Adelaide’s 2019 Emerging Talent stormed home to pip former winner and fellow 2018 draftee Ned McHenry who came in second.

Jake Kelly claimed the final podium finish in third while Reilly O’Brien and Brodie Smith took out fourth and fifth.

Post-race, Jones told reporters he thrived off the competition between himself and McHenry.

“We’ve run a couple of times together, it’s probably about even now,” Jones said.

“It’s good competition and it makes you better out of it all.”

Considering a big focus of Jones’ 2019 season was to add size to his frame, he was pleased to prove he had not lost his fitness in the process.

“It’s nice to keep (my time) relatively similar to last year while putting on a few kilos,” he said.

“I definitely want to push myself to get in the (midfield) so it’s all about putting your foot forward in the pre-season.”