John Worsfold will be an invaluable addition to Adelaide’s coaching box during the Club’s final NAB Challenge hit-out, says forwards coach David Teague.
Worsfold, who steered West Coast to the 2006 premiership, will take on an advisory role for Saturday’s clash with Port Adelaide and offer his wealth of experience to former colleague Phil Walsh and the rest of the Crows coaching group.
Teague, who worked as an assistant under ‘Woosha’ for three years in the west, said Worsfold would be an invaluable resource for the Crows’ coaching group.
“We’re looking (for) elite standards, and he’s a great coach,” Teague said on Friday.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work with him for three years and he’s going to come in and just have a look at what the coaches are doing, help us coaches, and give us a sounding board to bounce some ideas off.
Worsfold’s presence will be a one-off arrangement for this week’s final pre-season game.
“I think we’re very lucky to have someone of his expertise and experience for all us coaches to get some feedback from,” Teague said.
“We want to have a feedback-rich environment (so) it’s a great opportunity.”
A 200-game player with the Eagles, Worsfold held the senior job at West Coast for 12 seasons and 281 games. After stepping out of the Eagles’ coaches box, Worsfold accepted the chairmanship of the AFL Coaches Association in September last year.
While Phil Walsh was one of the AFL’s most experienced assistant coaches when he signed on as Adelaide’s senior coach in October, Teague said it was important for all coaches – no matter their experience - to have mentors they could lean on for advice.
“I think every coach at all clubs will have mentors or people they’ve been associated with throughout their career,” he said.
“I still talk to some of the past coaches that I’ve been involved with, and I’ve got no doubt Phil will be talking to John at stages looking for feedback or to bounce some ideas off.
“I don’t think any coach out there thinks they know it all.”
Adelaide welcomed back experienced defenders Matthew Jaensch and Ricky Henderson for the Club’s final NAB Challenge fixture. Impressive rookie Keenan Ramsey was also included into the 27-man squad, which will be trimmed to 26 on game day.
Luke Lowden (Achilles), Sam Kerridge (hamstring) and Scott Thompson (hamstring) were not considered for selection.
Teague said two-time Club champion Thompson remained in frame for a possible Round One return.
“Being an experienced footballer he’s probably got a greater chance (to return) than a young player, (but) obviously he’s got to get his body right,” he said.
“I know he’s definitely doing everything he can at the moment to be ready for Round One.”
Members receive free entry into Saturday’s game against Port Adelaide, which kicks off from 3.40pm at AAMI Stadium.
Teague said the Crows were eager to build some winning momentum heading into the premiership season.
“We want to win,” he said.
“We want to create a winning culture, so there’s no doubt we want to win this game.
“Would you risk a player to win it? No. But there’s no doubt that we want to win this game of football.”
