Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has praised his playing group’s adoption of a team-first philosophy, both on and off the field.

For the new coach, numerous instances have caught his eye over the pre-season.

Off-field, Nicks was impressed by January’s Crows Fan Fair event and the selflessness shown by senior players during the selection process of the 2020 leadership group.

“We had an amazing family day that we had a huge turnout to,” he told AFC Media.

“Our players engaged themselves so well across that day, numerous examples of them putting others first.

“We’ve selected a leadership group and we made decisions around that where players were selfless in the decisions they made.”

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Crows players have also implemented a team-first mindset on-field over the pre-season, working hard to do the one-percenters which often go unnoticed.

This was evident in last Saturday’s match simulation, with players pushing themselves through unrewarded running and sacrifice to create space and opportunities for their teammates.

“On the field, we’re seeing some great results off-ball that no one ever sees,” Nicks said. 

“It’s not on camera, but we’ve rewarded that for our players and we’re seeing consistency in that now.

“The team has bought into the small things that make you a better football side and that’s rewarding. I enjoy doing that, we enjoy that as a coaching group and giving reward where it’s due.

“But I think our players enjoy it even more, and you don’t need to be talented to be able to do that sort of thing, so that’s the best part about it.” 

Nicks has been thrilled with the Club’s first and second-year players and their willingness to drive high standards across the group. 

He expects to see a pair of first-round draftees from 2018 play regular senior football this season if they can maintain their current trajectory. 

“We’re seeing Harry Schoenberg already show leadership quality as a first-year player coming in,” Nicks said.

“That’s exciting as a coach when you see that and he’s not the only one. Lachie Gollant, fantastic character, always looking after others. 

“As part of our draft process with our list management, it’s a credit to them the characters we’ve been able to bring in these last couple of years.

“I’m talking Chayce Jones, Ned McHenry, these sort of guys that you’ll see begin to play some regular football if they continue the way they are.”