When the Crows 1-3-year players learned they would be sleeping in the bush for two nights of their development camp in Strathalbyn, it’s fair to say most were less than impressed they wouldn’t be returning to their cosy beds at the lavish Clipsal Retreat. However, not everyone was concerned about the camping exercise, designed to take the players out of their comfort zones. New recruit and laidback country lad, Nick Joyce was more than happy to sleep propped up against a tree, declaring, ‘You want to take me out of my comfort zone? Put me in the CBD!’
Up, up and away
Many of the players and coaches took to the skies over the Christmas break, boarding flights to return home to see family and friends, but only one Crow can attest to having flown himself. Defender Luke Thompson used the break to catch up on one of his favourite pastimes - flying helicopters. Thompson, who secured his helicopter licence at age 19, took his girlfriend Kelly on a scenic flight over Adelaide. He hopes to work alongside father Barry in the family helicopter surveying business when his football career finishes. It turns out Thompson is not the only qualified pilot at West Lakes. Coach Brenton Sanderson also has his pilot’s licence, but might need a refresher course before he returns to the cockpit, not having flown since 2006.
Crows Kringle
Before breaking for Christmas, the players and coaches carried out an annual tradition at West Lakes, exchanging gifts as part of the football department Kris Kringle. While some players took the exercise semi-seriously, others used the cloak of anonymity to embarrass their teammates, buying presents that would have the jolly man in the resplendent red suit shaking his head. Brent Reilly had to make room on his mantelpiece after receiving a framed picture of good mate Michael Doughty, while ruckman Sam Jacobs scored a 24-pack of his favourite drink, Pepsi. Cam ‘Curly’ Ellis’ Yolmen’s Kris Kringle was not so practical in his thinking, initiating the draftee to the tradition with a car handbrake. Why? Ellis-Yolmen was placed on a modified program at the start of pre-season because of a pre-existing knee injury and is still building up his endurance running, prompting ‘slow’ jibes from his teammates.
Perhaps, Curly should pass his gift onto assistant coach Darren Milburn, who made a pre-Christmas car pulling activity impossible for one group after accidentally leaving the handbrake on.
Cut down to size
Quite a few Crows walked a bit taller last season, but it appears some dubious ‘official’ heights have been corrected in the latest Club statistics. It seems most players have lost a centimetre or two, but by far the biggest loser is Patrick Dangerfield, who is now 185cm - not 189cm as listed in 2011.
All aboard
From the air to the sea, the Adelaide squad spent Saturday afternoon on Club patron Rob Gerard’s boat, which resembles more of a luxury cruise liner than a boat, complete with its own captain.
The players were lucky enough to spend an afternoon on this mansion on water
Hey, baby!
Adelaide’s Father Son Academy class of 2020 could have another addition following the news rookie Ian Callinan and his wife Lauren are expecting their second child. The baby is due in the middle of the season, but Callinan has already mapped out the quickest route to the hospital should Lauren go into labour on a home match day. The couple, yet to learn the sex of the baby, also has a six-year-old son Jack, but ‘Nutta’ will have to play another 97 games in Crows colours for the Callinan name to be added to the list of prospective Father-Son selections.
