New development coach Nathan van Berlo aims to call upon his vast AFL experience to help nurture the next generation of Crows on and off the field.

The world of football has evolved dramatically since van Berlo came to West Lakes as an 18-year-old draftee back in 2004. The speed, professionalism, and pressure of the game continues to grow year-on-year.

But the scrutiny and expectation thrust upon players also continues to rise.

'VB' said he wants to help Adelaide's young brigade manage everything that comes with being an AFL footballer.

“It’s certainly a significant challenge for young guys coming into the system these days, to be able to cope with the social pressures, the media pressures and the physical demands of AFL footy,” van Berlo said on FIVEaa.

“There’s certainly going got be a lot of resources allocated in that space to make sure we can keep our younger players rejuvenated, re-energised and also be able to switch off from the mental side of the game as well, so they can stay in the game for as long as they can.”

Crows add van Berlo to coaching panel

Beginning his career in a time before social media, the 30-year-old has witnessed such changes occur first-hand.

Van Berlo wants to see young players given the best possible guidance from the outset to ensure they reach their maximum potential as players and people.

“Guys can be logged on to their Twitter feed after a game and see feedback from every man and his dog,” van Berlo said.

“That’s the challenge for some of these young guys these days, to not read it or at least if they read it to not to take it on board.

“For anyone that’s a really hard thing to get your head around.”

The former captain is excited by Adelaide's current crop of young players and, while there's plenty of work to be done, is quietly confident that the future of the Club is in good hands.

“I feel like with the program that we’ve had in place for the last couple of years, as well as the core demographic and age of our group at the moment, that we’re primed to sort of grow together and enjoy some success in the coming years,” he said.

“It’s not going to just happen though, it certainly requires a lot of hard work.”