Adelaide’s experienced defenders will have young players “breathing down their neck” for selection in Round One, according to versatile backman Jake Kelly.

The 25-year-old played every game in 2019 but is resolute not to rest on his laurels with the likes of first-year Crows Fischer McAsey and Josh Worrell impressing in pre-season.

“I think one of the dangers in football is getting too comfortable,” Kelly told AFC Media.

“Getting young blokes in like Fischer (McAsey) and Josh Worrell (and) having guys like Lachie Sholl and Will Hamill really means a healthy backline with everyone competing, no one getting complacent.

“Even guys like Rory Laird, who have been in the backline for years, and Daniel Talia… they’re still fighting because they know there is talent like Fischer breathing down their neck.”

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Kelly was full of praise for his young teammates, with a particular focus on his training partners down back.

“The main one for me is Fischer, the high-end talent, pick No.6 in the draft… he’s really impressed me” Kelly said. 

“I’ve loved working with Josh Worrell, he’s coming along really well and will be a good player for this Club. 

“I’m enjoying working with him and trying to help him to become the best he can be.”

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Ahead of his seventh season at the Club, Kelly identified intercept marking as his biggest target for improvement in 2020.

“I want to get better and build on what I did last year,” Kelly said.

“I was fortunate enough to play every game last year and I felt like I improved as a player. 

“I want to become more dangerous in the air and take more intercept marks off my opponent. 

“It’s something I haven't been able to do in the past few years so I want to build on that.”

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