Adelaide is set to farewell highly respected development coach and life member Brent Reilly.

Reilly is pursuing another opportunity within the football industry after four years as a coach with the Crows.

The 37-year-old played 203 games for Adelaide in 13 seasons before injury forced him into retirement in 2015.

He returned to West Lakes in 2018 as a development coach and in 2020 he took charge of the AFL team’s backline.

This season he has worked closely with Adelaide’s SANFL coach Michael Godden helping to guide the Club’s emerging young players.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with the up and coming talent within the footy club,” Reilly said.

“It started off in my first year with the likes of Andrew McPherson and then into Lachie Sholl, Will Hamill and Jordon Butts, and seeing those guys come along and play the footy they have at AFL level this year has been rewarding. All the hard work we put into them early on, to see them flourish now is why you do the job I guess.

“I’ve also enjoyed working closely with guys like Heath Younie who was a really good mentor for myself and still is, Matty Wright and Paul Thomas and I’ve got a great bond with Mick Godden and Scott Burns, while Matthew Nicks has been great for me.

“But the time is right to move on to my next challenge, I can’t speak about my new role just yet because it’s confidential but I’m excited about staying within the football industry and I will look forward to watching the Club continue to move up the ladder.”

Crows Head of Football Adam Kelly described Reilly as a highly valued coach and person who had made a significant contribution to the Club.

“That’s evident by the improvement we’ve seen in our young group over the past two years,” Kelly said.

“The work that Brent has done with some of our young players to fast track their development to the point where they are performing consistently at AFL level has been terrific.

“He will be missed around the Club but we wish him and Jamie and their family all the best in what comes next and they will always be welcome here.”

In other football department news, the Club has appointed Sam Dodge as its new Head of Strength and Power.

Dodge has more than a decade’s experience in strength and conditioning with international and professional athletes, including working with the Bristol Bears, Welsh Rugby Union and the Welsh Judo Association. He has also represented Wales in freestyle wrestling, most recently at the 2021 British Invitational Championships.

He will commence his role with the Club before players return for pre-season training in November.