Four years on from announcing his AFL retirement, former Crow Jason Porplyzia will return to West Lakes this month, taking on a dual role at the Club.
Porplyzia, who played 130 AFL games for Adelaide between 2006 and 2014, will work part-time with the Crows Academies and runner for the Club’s AFL and SANFL sides.
The Crows Life Member returns to Adelaide after three years at West Adelaide Football Club, where he was best and fairest in the 2015 SANFL Premiership year.
He also worked in the Bloods’ Junior Football Talent Department as a Talent Manager in 2018.
The 34-year-old’s position with the academies will see him work closely with Crows AFLW co-captain Chelsea Randall, who is the Female Talent Officer.
IT'S A YES: Crows partner with Optus
On game days, he will share the running duties with Crows Midfield Development Coach Paul Thomas.
“It’ll be good to be back in that area [of AFL football] and getting to scratch that football itch as a runner,” Porplyzia told AFC Media.
“I look forward to helping the playing group out as much as I can and I’ll try not to spray a few of them along the way.
“I’ll have to quickly get up to speed with the game plan and what they’re trying to implement with the players.”
With recent rule changes restricting the time runners can spend on the field, Porplyzia said his rapport with the players would be more critical now than ever.
“Obviously the runner’s role has changed a little bit with the new rules so they [Don Pyke and Brett Burton] were pretty clear on having someone that had a football background,” he said.
“The messaging is critical to the players and there’s less time to get those messages out now.
“One of the important things is to develop a rapport with the players and having some existing relationships obviously helps – it’s good to be around those guys again and also to get to know some of the newer players.”
INTERNATIONAL STAR: Former UFC champ visits
As for his role with the academies, Porplyzia said he was excited to continue working with young aspiring footballers.
“The Crows academies space is growing so getting the opportunity to help develop the next generation coming through is exciting,” he said.
“Some of my work at West Adelaide has been in that space and it’s great working with kids who are enthusiastic about their footy and want to learn and improve and take it to the next level.”
Crows Head of Football, and former teammate of Porplyzia, Brett Burton said he was pleased to see a revered past player return to the Club.
“To have someone of Jason’s calibre running for us at games will be an invaluable asset this season and it’s a great opportunity for us to offer his AFL expertise to our academies program,” he said.
“With new rules that will reduce the amount of time team runners can be out on the field, it will be great to have Jason’s AFL experience talking to the players during the game.
“He’s a man of great character who is well liked amongst the playing group, so we’re thrilled to have him back.”
