Adelaide’s best 22 for Season 2016 is wide open, according to new Senior Coach Don Pyke.
The Crows introduced 10 new players in a busy offseason, including ready-made recruits Paul Seedsman, Troy Menzel, Curtly Hampton and Dean Gore.
Mature-age rookie Jono Beech is a seasoned SANFL player, while the Club’s first draft pick, Wayne Milera, also has senior experience at local level.
Pyke said he wouldn’t put a cap on what the new Crows could achieve next year.
“If they’re good enough, they can get the training done and they’ve earned their spot, then they’ll play,” Pyke said.
“Whether you’re Scott Thompson or Wayne Milera, who we’ve just drafted, we need everyone to improve for us to make genuine strides up the ladder.
“I’ve got very much an open mind (about the best 22). It’s unfair on them (the players) if I come in with a preconceived idea of either what they can or can’t do.
“The way we play will be slightly different to the way we played last year, and the roles might be different. In two or three weeks of training, I’m already seeing some guys who are showing really good signs in terms of being able to play the style we want to play.
“It’s a cliché, but the reality is the side almost picks itself in terms of the guys who work hard, get out on the track and comply with what we’re after.”
Pyke has been busy getting to know his new players and implementing his game style and philosophies since Adelaide’s pre-season started on November 30.
The former Crows and West Coast assistant coach said he was gradually introducing new elements.
“Pre-Christmas, we’ve primarily focused on some of our ball movement and trying to improve that … this week we’ve introduced a bit about our team defence and started to play around with some of the principles of that,” he said.
“We’re going to play a well-rounded game. The reality is these days you’ve got to be good in all the facets (of the game) … and it really comes down to how good you do those things. That’s really what we’re drilling into, how good can we be in those areas of the game.”
Pyke reaffirmed his expectation that Taylor Walker will remain as captain, and said the composition of the senior leadership group could be similar to this year.
“I’ve been working with the same leadership group as this year,” he said.
“Do I imagine there’s going to be many changes to the leadership structure? Maybe not, but it’s not totally my say. It’s a little bit of the players as to how they see their peers living the trademark behaviours that we’re after.”