There is a “powerful shift” happening at the Crows this year, according to Vice Captain Alex Neal-Bullen.

As Adelaide’s pre-season continues to heat up ahead of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season kicking off in March, Neal-Bullen says it’s the younger players who are taking the lead in driving standards even higher.

“You’re starting to see a shift in who's driving this footy club and it’s so exciting for all involved,” Neal-Bullen said.

“The young group, led by Josh Rachele, Riley Thilthorpe, their group around them are driving the footy club a lot. It’s powerful. 

“You’ll hear them out on the track driving drills or even in meetings. If you’re looking at a PowerPoint… they’re giving a bit more feedback, compared to previous years.

“Then you’ve got the likes of Oscar Ryan, James Borlase, although he’s a bit older now, leaning into that space of sharing their experiences, their thoughts.”

Neal-Bullen, who turned 30 last week, is preparing to enter his second season with the Crows, after being traded from Melbourne at the end of the 2024 campaign.

He made a solid impact in his first season, helping Adelaide rise from 15th to minor premiers, while averaging 16.3 disposals, 4.1 tackles, and 17 goals across 25 games (including two finals).

Neal-Bullen said empowering teammates to be vulnerable had helped spark a boost in form, and the Club was keen to build on its finish last year.

“I think you saw in the past 12 months huge growth in players. They’ve made that growth, so now it’s an opportunity for the next crop of young guys to take the footy club forward,” Neal-Bullen said.

“(It’s) the end product of those guys starting to lean into putting themselves in front of the group, or their willingness to be vulnerable.

“Yes, Daws, myself, Darcy Fogarty, we’ll still be here for them to lean on us, but at the end of the day in 12 months time, 24 months time, they’re the guys who will be driving this footy club forward and showing you the consistency the Adelaide Footy Club wants to stand for.”

The Crows bolstered their squad ahead of this season with the addition of two-time premiership Lion Callum Ah Chee.

Neal-Bullen said Ah Chee would bring a wealth of experience to the Crows as they eye sustained success.

(“He brings) an ability to share his experiences under the highest pressure, not too many people have had the privilege to play in three Grand Finals in a row and come out on top in two of them,” Neal-Bullen said.

“For Cal, his journey in itself, if you’ve had the opportunity to talk to him about his own football journey, it’s quite inspiring.

“(He was a) high draft pick, and he’s admitted he had some inconsistencies, he wasn’t at the level that he wanted to be, and has fought so hard to get to a level where he is one of the first picked.

“Now to have someone to share the experience with - whether you’re an older player or someone who is starting out their career - his ability to understand what the game needs at crucial times means he’s going to be a huge asset for us. We are very lucky to have him at the footy Club.”