Embracing and encouraging the players will remain Crows coach Matthew Nicks’ key focus ahead of the AFL’s return on June 11.

On Friday afternoon, Nicks made it clear that he and his football department would continue to “get around the guys”, particularly the group quarantined in the Barossa Valley.

“Physically they’ll be fine, but it’s that mental side of things like not being able to get face-to-face with your group, being isolated from the community (where) it’s tough,” Nicks said. 

“Especially when you’re a young player who has been drafted to play Australian Rules football and unfortunately at this point, you aren’t able to do that. 

The Crows senior coach said excitement was the first emotion that hit him when AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan announced a return-to-play date on Friday afternoon. 

“That’s really why we’re here… to entertain and to play footy as a team,” Nicks said.

“I’m excited to have our group come back together.

“We get the opportunity now to train on Monday, in smaller groups, but eight is better than one so I’m really looking forward to that." 

The Crows will resume non-contact training in smaller groups next Monday (May 18) before moving to an isolation hub on the Gold Coast ahead of May 25 to commence full training.