Hailing from a small town in remote Western Australia, Shane McAdam’s journey to the Crows has been one of persistence and perseverance. 

But the forward says this preseason has left him fitter and more ready than ever to face 2021 head-on. 

“Preseason has been really good this year - my body’s adapting to the hard work and there’s some good competition in the forward line,” McAdam told Triple M’s The Rush Hour.

“The main thing I’m working on is getting my fitness up to level, which I think it is.”

New Crows assistant coach James Rahilly has played a large part in propelling McAdam’s game forward. 

“Rahilly’s been really good so far, (his) biggest influence for me is the small details around footy - the structures and set-ups,” McAdam said. 

The nephew of Central District’s 1989 Magarey Medalist and former St Kilda and Brisbane star Gilbert McAdam, Shane’s football journey spanned multiple clubs before he made the move to Adelaide to pursue his footy dreams. 

“A close mate of mine got me into Sturt, (I) played a year there and started taking my footy a bit more seriously,” he said. 

McAdam said the Crows’ leadership team, and forward Tom Lynch in particular, had been key in making him feel at home in Adelaide. 

“Tommy Lynch, he’s been a real influence for me (at the Club) - him and Tex,” he said. 

The 25-year-old said last week’s internal trial had enlivened him for next week’s practice match against Port Adelaide. 

“It was a good hitout - all the boys are looking forward to finally getting into the games instead of just running, it’s been very competitive,” he said. 

Crows fans will have the opportunity to watch Adelaide take on Port Adelaide in a practice match this Saturday with a live stream to be broadcast on afc.com.au and the Adelaide Crows Official App.

The Crows and Power will also clash in a SANFL practice match commencing at 8.30am ACDT.