Adelaide defender Josh Worrell admits there are still key areas of his game he needs to improve as he strives to find the form he showed last season.
Despite averaging career highs in disposals (25.7), marks (7.2) and rebound 50s (7.2), the 25-year-old believed the defensive side of his game was not quite up to the level that made him an All-Australian squad member in 2025.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Worrell got candid in his assessment of how he was performing in 2026 and his biggest area for growth.
“Personally, no I don’t think I am (playing better than last year),” Worrell said.
“I just think defensively I’m a bit off at the moment so I’d like to get back on track with that, the calf might have something to do with that, as well as a few other things like mindset, it’s something to work on which there always is.
“On the positive side, I feel like I’ve been able to be cleaner on the air and at ground level this year which has been a positive, and kicking has always been a work on for me and I’ve been consistently grinding away at it and feel like I’m in a good place with it at the moment.”
The first six weeks of the season have also presented challenges from an injury point of view, as he has had to manage lingering calf soreness.
Worrell revealed just how close he had been to being pulled out of matches, and was proud of how he had overcome the adversity to contribute to the team.
“I’ve been pretty close to missing some games, a few on the day kind of calls, talking to the doc and the physio,” he said.
“I’m very proud to have gotten through those tough games and I feel like we were kind of hanging out for the nine day break after Gather Round.
“I feel like I’ve come out of that and on the other side of it now which is good.”
The Crows could be bolstered by the inclusion of young utility Dan Curtin in the coming weeks, as he overcomes the final stages of his recovery from pre-season knee surgery.
Worrell said it would be a thrill to welcome him back into the fold, and spoke glowingly on how the 21-year-old attacked his rehabilitation.
“Very excited (to potentially have Dan come back), we all saw what he did in the back end of last year, so for him to hopefully come out and dominate in the same way we saw last year, will be amazing for our team,” Worrell said.
“We had him on the wing last year so him going into the midfield (at the start of pre-season) was massive for us, and just the size he’s put on has been incredible.
“For him to move the way that he does at his height and size, it's pretty incredible to see.
“He’s a dedicated man, he loves playing footy and doing the small things right, and I think that’s been on show in his recovery, he’s put himself in a good spot.”
The Crows’ next assignment is arguably the toughest in AFL football, as they travel to Brisbane to take on the reigning premiers at The Gabba.
“We’ve always had some pretty good hit-outs with Brisbane, so I’m excited to get up there and give it a shake,” Worrell said.
“I think our game plans match up pretty well against each other, we had that draw a few years ago and another close game last year, so I’m expecting a cracking contest on Sunday.”
Adelaide faces Brisbane this Sunday afternoon at The Gabba.
The match starts at 2.45pm (ACST) and fans can watch live on Channel 7 Adelaide and Fox Footy/Kayo.
