Adelaide has finalised its men’s coaching structure for next season with a mix of fresh perspectives, experience and continuity.
Ben Jacobs joins Matthew Nicks’ panel as an Assistant Coach overseeing the backline, while Jarrod Lienert crosses from North Melbourne to take on a development role, focussing on the forwards.
Former Crow Sam Jacobs returns to the Club in a coaching capacity and he will mentor the rucks and manage the stoppages, in a newly created midfield role.
Matthew Wright has been promoted to an Assistant Coach, mentoring the forwards, while Nathan van Berlo will remain in charge of Adelaide’s midfield.
Jack Hombsch will transition into a different role, as a Development Coach for the defenders, and Andrew McPherson will focus on fast-tracking the Club’s emerging midfielders.
Michael Godden will continue as Head of Development, as well as take charge of the SANFL team.
Crows Coaching Director Murray Davis said there was strong alignment across the panel, additional resourcing centred on the midfield, dedicated line coaches for SANFL, and a clear understanding of the standards the Club was working towards.
“We want to keep developing our coaching program just as we expect our players to keep improving,” Davis said.
“We believe this structure gives our coaches clear areas of responsibility, provides continuity for our players and importantly creates opportunities for our people to continue to grow.”
Wright steps into the forwards role after eight years as a Development Coach, including the past two seasons combining those responsibilities with coaching Adelaide’s SANFL team.
“Wrighty has built a really strong coaching skillset over a number of years and has earned the respect and trust of our players,” Davis said.
“He has worked closely with our forwards throughout his time at the Club, understands our system and how we want to play, and we think he is ready to take this next step in his career.”
Ben Jacobs, who featured in 90 AFL games across a 10-year playing career, started his elite level coaching journey at St Kilda in 2022 before crossing to Essendon.
A qualified teacher, Lienert has spent the past three years as a Development Coach and Indigenous Player Development Manager at North Melbourne, and previously played for Port Adelaide and St Kilda.
“Ben brings strong football knowledge, experience and a fresh perspective which we believe will complement our existing coaching group. He’s also got a good understanding of the demands facing emerging players,” Davis said.
“While Jarrod brings a strong mix of playing experience, coaching and player development expertise. His teaching background is a welcome addition and he’ll add new ideas and strong communication and relationship-building skills to our development team.
“Finally, it’s exciting to welcome Sam back into our AFL program. His recent senior coaching experience in the SANFL has further developed his leadership and coaching skills and ability to bring a group together. He is a great developer of talent and his understanding of the stoppage and ruck space will complement our midfield program.”
ADELAIDE’S 2027 AFL COACHING STRUCTURE
Senior Coach – Matthew Nicks
Coaching Director – Murray Davis
Assistant Coach (Midfield) – Nathan van Berlo
Assistant Coach (Forwards) – Matthew Wright
Assistant Coach (Defenders) – Ben Jacobs
Assistant Coach (Ruck and Stoppages) – Sam Jacobs
Head of Development and SANFL Coach – Michael Godden
Development Coach (Midfield) – Andrew McPherson
Development Coach (Forwards) – Jarrod Lienert
Development Coach (Defenders) – Jack Hombsch
