A number of key Crows could be set for a positional switch in 2026, as Senior Coach Matthew Nicks looks to take his team to the next level.
Explosive ball-winner Josh Rachele and Luke Pedlar have spent the majority of pre-season in the midfield - a move from their respective small forward slots.
Nicks has also switched Brayden Cook to defence from the forward line, while Luke Nankervis has worked across half-back this summer.
In a one-on-one with AFC Media, Nicks said the positional switches would allow coaches to build versatility across the ground and create greater balance within the team.
“We are always looking at different roles and a number of our guys over a long period of time now, have an understanding of what it means to have more than one string to their bow.
“The ability to play, whether it’s two or three positions, makes you quite a unique player and gives you that opportunity if maybe we need a spot as a winger, that you’re able to come in there, and possibly half-back. We’ve done a lot of work in that space, guys have played in a lot of different positions right throughout the pre-season.
“Josh Rachele has spent a little bit more time in the midfield, Dan Curtin prior to his injury was doing a lot more (in the) midfield, Brayden Cook has gone to half-back, as has (Luke) Nankervis for a period of time.
“There’s a lot of different things we are looking at, just to really try and bolster the depth we’ve got in every position.”
Adding Rachele and Pedlar to midfield mix
Rachele and Pedlar add a new dynamic to the Crows’ midfield, according to Nicks, who says both have put in strong pre-seasons after struggling with injuries at different points of 2025.
“Luke Pedlar is probably one at the moment who is as fit as we've ever seen him, he’s feeling really positive about the work he’s done in the break,” Nicks said.
“Some take a little longer to find that in their careers and Luke’s had some challenges with his body over the years, but he's done a hell of a lot of work on that, so he’s in a really good space at the moment.
“Josh is unique, he’s a competitor, he hates losing, so he brings a real grit to that area,” Nicks said.
“He’s super powerful - we see it in the gym, Josh pushes out some of the strongest bench press, his legs and through his hips, he penetrates with the ball in hand as well.
“It’s still going to be a work on for him because he’s played a lot of forward up to this point, but it was really exciting to see him have a crack at it last weekend when we had three-quarters of footy.”
Organic growth pushing Crows forward
Adelaide produced its best season of Matthew Nicks’ tenure in 2025, claiming the minor premiership, before Hawthorn halted its run with a semi-final defeat.
Nicks said this coming season would present challenges as the Crows become the hunted, but he was confident in his side’s improvement over the summer.
“There’s a lot of players who have really stood up - Luke Nankervis - if you’re talking about players who maybe haven’t been regulars in our side, he’s had the best pre-season that we’ve seen from him,” Nicks said.
“He’s really put his name up there to say ‘I’m ready’”.
“I mentioned Brayden Cook, he’s come back fitter this year, and he’s mentored a couple of our younger players as well and they’ve come back in better nick, like Tyler Welsh.
“There’s a lot of positives, a lot of guys who have taken their game to another level. Even Jordon Butts this year looks like he’s been able to get his body right and he’s running on top of the ground at the moment.”
Edwards vying for debut
Last year’s top-of-the-table finish was underpinned by consistent team selection, with limited opportunities for players outside the core group.
That may change in 2026, however, with Nicks indicating a handful of youngsters are already pressing their claims for an AFL debut, most notably Charlie Edwards.
Edwards was selected at the 2023 AFL Draft with Pick No.21 and although drafted as a midfielder, he has honed his craft at half-back across the past 12 months.
“Charlie Edwards is one who hasn’t had an opportunity to debut, and was probably with the team’s performance last year and the consistency we had across the year, it made it hard for him to get himself into that side,” Nicks said.
“He was playing some great footy last year, but this year he has gone to another level again.
“He has had a great off-season, he’s continued to work on small areas that he knew he had to work on, right as it sits at this point, he’s definitely got his hand up saying ‘Hey, I want to play’.
“Whether that happens early in the year, will depend on where the balance of the squad sits.”
Ah Chee to line-up in State of Origin
As pre-season continues to ramp up with upcoming trial games, Nicks will also be keeping an eye on how new Crow Callum Ah Chee fares during this month’s State of Origin match.
Ah Chee was selected to represent his home state of Western Australia against Victoria.
Born in Derby, Ah Chee played junior football for Kelmscott, before featuring for South Fremantle in the WAFL.
“Cal is a fantastic player, he’s had some great success and been a really important player at Brisbane over his time there,” Nicks said.
“It’s the reason we wanted to attract him to our family, and to see him continue that on, and show our guys the level that he’s been at and the composure that he brings is great, and it’s great to see him be rewarded with a State of Origin guernsey.
“I really like the concept. I remember as a kid going to watch SA v Victoria at Footy Park out here at West Lakes. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
“I think most of the players are really excited about it and looking forward to it, and I hope Cal does really well.”
