A bolstered development team will help Adelaide fast-track its next wave of young players, according to Crows teenager Riley Knight.
Under the leadership of new coach Phil Walsh and CEO Andrew Fagan, who said he wants to create the best football program in the AFL, Adelaide restructured its development department during the offseason and secured some of the game’s most respected figures.
Sydney Swans premiership player Ryan O’Keefe, Carlton Best and Fairest winner David Teague and former West Coast Eagles captain Darren Glass have all joined the Club in specialised roles ahead of Season 2015.
The appointments bolstered an already well-credentialed Crows development team, with the trio joining existing staff Heath Younie, Tate Kaesler, Alan Stewart, Ian Callinan and 2014 SANFL State Team assistant coach Jarrod Cotton, who recently signed on in a full-time capacity.
Line coaches Darren Milburn (defence) and Scott Camporeale (midfield) were retained alongside long-serving ruck coach Matthew Clarke.
Knight, who played in all 18 SANFL games in his first season at the Crows, said it was a player’s dream to work with such an esteemed coaching group.
“It’s great to have all those guys with such experience around the Club,” Knight told afc.com.au.
“Ryan O’Keefe has a lot of AFL experience and he’s pretty much done it all in his playing career.
“David Teague has also been awesome in terms of forward line techniques and statistics. We’re learning a lot under him already.
“Darren Glass was one of the best defenders of all time and he also brings a lot of leadership experience as well.”
Adelaide has 21 players currently aged 22 or younger, including All Australian defender Brodie Smith, hard-running midfielder Sam Kerridge, and both Crouch brothers.
Tall trio Kyle Hartigan, Sam Shaw and 2014 Club Champion Daniel Talia are also only 23 years of age.
A joint runner-up in Adelaide’s State League Best and Fairest count last season, Knight said Adelaide’s young brigade have all embraced Phil Walsh’s team-first philosophy.
“He certainly demands a lot of you, but the boys have already got a lot of respect for him,” Knight said.
“The younger guys can see the direction that the Club is heading in and the future looks very exciting.
“He’s helping all of us take our footy to the next level.”
Knight, 19, impressed in his first season after being picked up by Adelaide with selection No.46 in the 2013 National Draft.
He was one of only three players to feature in every game with the SANFL Crows, averaging 18 disposals at 75 per cent efficiency. Knight also kicked nine goals for the season, and was top-three in the team for tackles, inside 50ms and score assists.
But the former Clare and Woodville-West Torrens junior said he still has a lot of work ahead before making the step up to AFL football.
“It was a great learning year, but I’ve still got a lot of areas to improve on,” Knight said.
“I need to get my skills up to that elite standard before I go up (to AFL level), but I’m building towards it every day.
“I’m learning from the best and hopefully I can develop my game to a new level next year.”
