Adelaide defender Wayne Milera says continuity with his summer training has him in a confident state of mind as the new season begins.
The 28-year-old enjoyed a solid 2025 campaign, featuring in all but one of the Crows’ matches as he returned from a serious knee injury from the year prior.
Milera has continued that consistency into his pre-season, completing almost every session and producing solid form in internal match simulation and practice matches.
His promising pre-season culminated with a strong performance against Fremantle in the AAMI Community Series last Saturday, as he racked up 26 disposals at 96 per cent efficiency across half-back.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Milera said he was in a good physical and mental space heading into his 11th AFL season.
“The pre-season has been really good, I’ve been able to do a heap more of the sessions than in previous years which has been nice,” Milera said.
“Having a full pre-season is always really helpful in setting myself up for the year, so being able to achieve that has been really pleasing and probably been the main catalyst behind my performances in the practice matches.
“I’m feeling pretty confident in my body at the moment and very confident in where the team is at, which is a good place to be at this time of year with the season right around the corner.
“I’m not sure if it’s just a mind thing, but there is definitely comfort in knowing that you’ve done everything you possibly can to be right for the season when that first game starts.”
Being on the track for the entire pre-season, Milera has had the benefit of a first-hand look at how his teammates are tracking ahead of the new campaign.
He said the form of Luke Pedlar had particularly caught his eye, and was excited to see what the forward could produce after a strong summer.
“I’m pretty excited to see how Peds goes this season,” Milera said.
“He’s had a really good summer on the track, and played very well again on the weekend, he’s got himself in a really good place.
“So I think it will be exciting to see him out there at his best and a real positive for us as a team.”
Off the field, Milera’s service and dedication to the Adelaide Football Club was recognised at Monday’s Annual General Meeting, as he received life membership.
He said the honour was something he would cherish deeply.
“I’m pretty honoured by it and it’s a bit of a surreal feeling,” Milera said.
“Growing up being a mad Crows fan, it was a dream of mine to just play one game for the Club, so to be given life membership, it is very special.
“I’m pretty proud of my journey to get here and can’t wait to continue it into the future.”
The Crows will kick off their 2026 campaign with a clash against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday, March 14, before their first home game of the year against the Western Bulldogs on Friday, March 20.
