Chayce Jones played many different positions during his junior football career, but he was recruited as a midfielder by Adelaide at the 2018 National Draft and thought the position would stick.

That was before a chat with Crows Senior Coach Matthew Nicks ahead of this season, which changed the course of the 21-year-old’s career.

Speaking on The Optus Crows Show, Jones said switching from an on-baller to a defender in 2021 helped propel him into the AFL team.

“I had a bit of a chat to Nicksy and the coaches and just felt that would be a good position for me to try to get back into the team and develop myself further,” Jones said.

“So far it’s been a positive change.

“I’ve played a couple of games (with) a few different roles, a few different teams, all the way through junior footy but not for a dedicated amount of time.

“I think it is one of my strengths to do a few different roles.

“It’s a good change up just to get a bit of a feel back and develop a bit more.”

Jones credited his teammates, especially his fellow backmen, for helping him transition into the new role.

“It is totally different with the structures and the way you want to go about it and the details around each position,” Jones said.

“But when you’ve come to play footy it ends up being all the same and you just want to play footy so that’s all it is.

“The group back there is amazing. They’re supporting and young and enthusiastic.”

Also on The Optus Crows Show this week, Adelaide cult figure Wayne Weidemann joins former ruckman Sam Jacobs to talk about his Optus Yes moment, while Round 16 debutant Luke Pedlar relives his rollercoaster week.

The Optus Crows Show airs on Channel 7 Adelaide this Sunday at 2pm.

Interstate fans can catch the full episode on afc.com.au shortly after.