Coach Brenton Sanderson says he’s looking forward to an exciting future at Adelaide after signing a two-year contract extension.
At the Club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday night, Chairman Rob Chapman announced Sanderson had re-signed with the Crows, committing until at least the end of 2016.
The inaugural Crows squad member and former Geelong best-and-fairest winner has coached Adelaide in 47 games, leading the Club to a Preliminary Final in his first year.
A highlight of Sanderson’s short tenure has been the introduction and development of Adelaide’s young players. The Crows have turned over nearly half their list in the past two years, bringing in exciting talent including Brad Crouch, Luke Brown, Sam Kerridge, Mitch Grigg, Rory Laird and Kyle Hartigan.
Four of those young Crows, Crouch, Kerridge, Laird and Brown, received Rising Star nominations in 2013, adding to two – eventual winner Daniel Talia and Sam Shaw – in 2012. Sanderson said he was “proud” of the development of his younger charges this year.
“It was the young boys, who were the real shining lights this year,” Sanderson said at the AGM.
“We had four Rising Star nominees, making it six nominations in two years. Only GWS, who have a very young list, have had more (nominations in that period). We’ve now got one of the youngest and most exciting teams in the AFL, with Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane, Brad and now Matt Crouch, Daniel Talia, Brodie Smith, Taylor Walker, Luke Brown, Sam Kerridge, Rory Laird, Mitch Grigg … I could keep going, but all these boys are under 23 years old.
“It’s a really exciting time to be a Crows member and supporter. You’re going to have some fun watching this team at the new Adelaide Oval.”
Before the players hit Adelaide Oval for the first game against Port Adelaide on March 29, they have a gruelling pre-season to complete. Sanderson said the tough program would ensure the team was in peak fitness in 2014.
“We’re putting the boys through a very rigorous training regime at the moment. They’re clicking over about 50 kilometres per week,” he said.
“To put that in perspective, that’s not just running five 10-kilometre blocks during the week. We’re replicating an AFL game every second game … and also the speed of an AFL game. It’s quite intense. The new players are doing about half the load, so 25 kilometres a week. We’re going to be fit.”
The Crows are on track to sell out Adelaide Oval in 2014. Don’t miss out! Visit 19thman.com.au or phone the Member Service Centre on (08) 8440 6666 to secure your spot.
