Bickley gone as Walsh makes tough calls

David Teague, playing for Carlton, tackles Port's Brett Ebert in 2005. Source: News Limited

NEW Crows coach Phil Walsh has finalised his first coaching panel, bringing in dual Swans premiership player Ryan O'Keefe and former North Melbourne and Carlton defender David Teague.

O'Keefe, who retired at the end of the 2014 season, has been appointed as a development coach while also assisting with the midfield duties.

Teague spent last season as an assistant at St Kilda but previously worked alongside Walsh at West Coast.

He will take control of the forward line after dual Adelaide premiership captain Mark Bickley told the club he wanted to pursue other opportunities next year.

This is expected to be in the media.

Bickley has, however, been retained in a marketing and promotional role.

Midfield coach Scott Camporeale has kept his job while Darren Milburn will remain in charge of the defence and Matthew Clarke the ruck.

"Ryan is a quality person who comes from a successful environment," Walsh said.

"His leadership and knowledge gleaned from an outstanding playing career at Sydney will be invaluable.

"David and I developed a strong rapport while working together at the Eagles for three years.

"He is a talented and astute young coach who will be an influential part of our team."

Bickley did not comment last night after Walsh issued a 59-second video to Crows members declaring: "There will be change in the football department - right now I am working through my coaching structure."

Walsh, who met a small group of club members at West Lakes yesterday, along with new chief executive Andrew Fagan, said in his video: "The hard work has begun, but there is much more ahead for all of us.

"The team I want to build at Adelaide this year will be based around hard work, elite standards and attention to detail, but most of all working as a team."

Walsh said he had spoken to everyone on the Adelaide player list and "I've met with quite a few".

"Make no mistake," he said, "our team has talent. The right ingredients are there, but we still need to build on that. We have two early picks in the draft and we will be using that to be bringing more talent into the club."

Originally published as O'Keefe joins Crows as Walsh sets up his team

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