Crows veterans will be ready

The Adelaide squad, with Eddie Betts with James Podsiadly centred, are in good shape. Picture: Sam Wundke Source: News Limited

ADELAIDE has rated its pre-season as one of its best in recent years with all but two of its veterans and high-profile recruits expected to be ready for Round 1

There is still the elephant in the room - the ruptured achilles tendon that put captain Nathan van Berlo on the long-term injury list - but aside from that the Crows could not be more pleased with how they're tracking on the eve of annual trial matches.

Their first NAB Challenge practice match is against Port Adelaide at Richmond Oval on February 16.

Brent Reilly, who had a shoulder reconstruction in July, is close to full training, asked only to avoid heavy tackles. Scott Thompson, the 2011 and 2012 Malcolm Blight Medallist, is effectively training at full pace but like several of the senior players, is allowed to gradually build up to taking part of every drill.

SUPERCOACH IS BIGGER AND BETTER IN 2014

Those senior player also include ex-Blue Eddie Betts and ex-Cat James Podsiadly, both of whom add significant depth to the club's forward line.

The situation is a far cry from some of the pre-seasons wracked by injury and bad luck under Neil Craig, and puts the club in a better position than last year, when it was numbed by the Kurt Tippett scandal and would lose key forward Taylor Walker against Carlton in round five at the MCG.

Brent Reilly gets a kick away at training. Photo: Sam Wundke Source: News Limited

Walker, the second senior player who is unlikely to play in round one, has met every target as he recovers from his knee reconstruction and the club has been impressed with his dedication.

Walker is a character, one who lights up the club rooms with his jokes and also fires from the hip on social media, but he has impressed the coaching panel with his business-like approach to his recovery.

He is now kicking and catching in old-fashioned lane-work, working tirelessly in the gym and is on the brink of beginning agility work that includes twisting and turning.

WHO'S READY TO BREAK OUT IN 2014?

The latest medical advice is that he will return no later than at the generally proscribed 12-month mark from knee reconstruction, but appears likely to play earlier.

``He's training really well,'' football operations manager Phil Harper said. ``The medical guys haven't given us a starting date for him, but it certainly won't be longer than the 12 months.

``He's right on target; in fact, he's probably ahead of target. It will just be when the medical guys give him the all clear.

``But he's champing at the bit. He'd play tomorrow if it was up to him but he's also happy to listen to what the medical guys say.

``Reilly, his range of movement is not 100 per cent yet but it's improving and they're really happy with his progression. `Thommo', his hip surgery has restricted his pre-season but he's up and running now.

INJURY EXPERT TO BOOST 'VB'

``They might not be ready in the middle of February but they'll certainly be ready by late February.

``The van Berlo one was a really unfortunate accident but other than that we've had a pretty injury-free run. They've been really conservative with bringing guys back.

``But most of the older guys, it probably isn't hurtful for them to ease into the pre-season games as well.''

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Dangerfield, Sloane to lead Crows

Crows training at Max Basheer Reserve. Patrick Dangerfield under the watchful eye of Brenton Sanderson. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Limited

PATRICK Dangerfield and Rory Sloane will share the on-field captaincy duties at Adelaide while Nathan van Berlo is sidelined with an achilles injury.

But the Crows announced this morning van Berlo will remain captain of the club for a fourth season because he is still the "standout leader" in the playing group.

MORE: Tex has scan on swollen knee

"After comprehensive discussions in which we assessed all the options, we were unanimous in our decision that 'VB' is the best leader of our footy club," coach Brenton Sanderson told afc.com.au.

Van Berlo earlier in the year winning the Crows' time trial. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Limited

"We'd reached that decision prior to VB getting injured and even after he was injured, we thought he could still do a fantastic job in leading the club off the field. In the best case scenario, hopefully we get him back mid-season anyway.

"Nathan is the standout leader at the moment and the best person to captain our club."

Adelaide announced a seven-man leadership group of van Berlo, Dangerfield, Sloane, Scott Thompson, Sam Jacobs and new faces Richard Douglas and Taylor Walker.

Sloane during a training session at Max Basheer Reserve. Picture: Sam Wundke. Source: News Limited

Jason Porplyzia was the only omission from last year's six man group.

The decision to appoint Dangerfield and Sloane as co vice captains reflects the growing regard in which Sloane is held at West Lakes.

Dangerfield is the popular pick to replace van Berlo down the track and served as deputy vice captain last season.

But it now looks like a two horse race with best and fairest winner Sloane.

"Patrick and Rory are both developing into outstanding leaders," Sanderson said.

"They've exhibited an enormous amount of great leadership in the two years I've been at the club and they've gone to another level again this summer. We feel they'll do a fantastic job as acting captains, with the assistance of Nathan while he's on the sidelines.

"If there's any silver lining in Nathan's injury, it's that these two 23-year-olds get exposed to on-field captaincy roles, perhaps, a bit earlier than they otherwise would have."

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Injury expert a boost for VB

Crows skipper Nathan van Berlo leading the way at training. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Limited

ADELAIDE captain Nathan van Berlo will receive regular treatment from a leading Melbourne tendon injury expert once his recovery from a ruptured achilles tendon moves into a more intensive phase.

The Crows have enlisted Dr Jill Cook, who is a leading voice in tendinopathy and a professor at Monash University in Melbourne.

It means van Berlo is unlikely to head overseas like key forward Taylor Walker, who sought treatment in the US in his bid to recover from a knee reconstruction as quickly and strongly as possible.

But it has underlined the club's commitment to spare no expense in finding the best treatment for its players to have them back playing.

The Crows expect van Berlo to be back towards the end of the season, and believes his well-known dedication and fitness will speed up the process.

Hawthorn's Jarryd Roughead, who suffered the same injury in round 12, 2009, did not play again that season but has since returned to play career-best football and was an important part of the Hawks' premiership last year.

Crows football operations manager Phil Harper said the club was unlikely to look for overseas options as part of van Berlo's recovery.

Adelaide Crows are confident captain Nathan van Berlo will return to the field in 2014 after suffering an Achilles injury at training on Monday.

"There's a lady called Jill Cook who operates out of Melbourne who has done a fair bit our players who have had problems with achilles (tendons) so I dare say that when it gets to that stage of his recovery we'll send him over and see what Jill thinks,'' Harper said.

"She's the guru of achilles injuries.''

It is still too early to predict how soon van Berlo can return but it is widely accepted it takes between six and nine months for an athlete.

Van Berlo was also said to have a ``clean'' break of the tendon, which makes it easier for the surgeon to operate than if it were frayed. But there is no certainty he will play again this season.

"The doctors are hoping that he will be right by the end of the season but until we see how he recovers we don't know,'' Harper said.

"It was an unfortunate accident and it left everyone devastated. But they're just the things that happen in life and there's not much you can do about it apart from wrapping everybody in cotton wool.''

It leaves the club with a major decision to make: whether to keep van Berlo as captain and instate a caretaker skipper or whether the time is right for a new captain while van Berlo concentrates on getting his injury to heal.

The club is expected to announce its new leadership group by the end of next week and wants it done before its practice matches begin.

It will be senior coach Brenton Sanderson's call how the leadership group looks and who will act as captain the club in van Berlo's absence - whether as a caretaker or new skipper - rather than the players voting on the leaders the way it happened under Neil Craig.

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J-Pod could play every game: Bicks

New Adelaide Crows forwards Eddie Betts and James Podsiadly. Picture: Sam Wundke. Source: News Limited

PERHAPS Brenton Sanderson's plans to manage James Podsiadly through the next two seasons were premature.

The Crows coach initially expected the former Geelong forward to play between 20 to 25 games during his two-year contract but throughout an impressive summer on the track Podsiadly has shown signs he's capable of more.

Adelaide forward coach Mark Bickley said Podsiadly had completed 90 per cent of the preseason workload and had less miles than the average 32 year old.

"Potentially he could play every game," Bickley said.

"His body is really sound. Sometimes when you look at his age you forget he didn't start playing until a little bit later in life.

"He probably hasn't endured the wear and tear someone else his age has."

Podsiadly was a surprise delisting at Geelong last year after his goals tally dipped for the second consecutive season - down from a career-best of 52 in 2011 to 33.

But Champion Data statistics reveal he spent just 34 per cent of game time inside the forward 50 in 2013, far less than his average from 2010-12 (47 per cent).

Despite this he was still ranked eighth in the AFL for tackles inside 50 as well as continuing to be one of the competition's best contested marks.

With Taylor Walker still cautiously planned to return between rounds 5-7, Podsiadly will be relied upon to spearhead Adelaide's attack in the early rounds.

And you get the impression when talking to Bickley that the mature-age success story - and fellow recruit Eddie Betts - will play key roles all season.

It will leave a host of other forwards - including Shaun McKernan, Lewis Johnston and Jared Petrenko - fighting for a spot in the 22.

"We've seen what Eddie and James Podsiadly have done for a number of games ... those guys have got some runs on the board," Bickley said.

"In terms of the rest of the guys they're all in a similar situation. They've all played between 15 and 30 games. They've all had their ups and downs.

"It's really going to come down to who can present themselves the best and make the most of their opportunities in the preseason."

Walker and Tom Lynch - who had major foot surgery after last season - are the only forwards still waiting to join the main group.

Bickley said he had high hopes for the Crows attack after a season in which he admitted it underperformed at times after the departure of Kurt Tippett and the loss of Walker to a knee injury.

"We did have a relatively inexperienced forward line," Bickley said.

"But having said that at different stages we expected some greater output from it. There were some disappointing things. Goalkicking was poor last year.

"We did expose some young players and that was good but at the same time we would have liked to have some greater output."

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Power calls on defence back-up

Jackson Trengove, left, will miss a month of training after jarring a knee at training on Monday. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Limited

JACKSON Trengove's knee injury has opened the door for emerging Port Adelaide defender Tom Clurey to present his case for selection during the preseason competition.

Clurey has taken giant strides over summer but faced an uphill battle to force his way into a Port backline which became quite settled last season.

But with Trengove expected to miss at least a month after jarring his knee at training on Monday, Clurey - and fellow defender Jack Hombsch - have an opportunity to show what they can do.

"These guys have been training all preseason on our key forwards - Schulz, Westhoff and Butcher (and) they've been learning," Port defensive coach Matthew Nick said.

"This is an opportunity for them now in the next four weeks ... to show what they've got.

"Hombsch has already shown he's definitely got the ability at the level. Clurey is a young up and coming player but I'm sure if given the opportunity he'd stand up."

Clurey, who turns 21 a week after Port's opening round clash against Carlton, has progressed quietly at Glenelg in the SANFL since being taken with pick 29 in the 2012 AFL Draft.

An elite runner who ran a 15.1 beep test and 10 minute 3km time trial at draft camp, he's now put on the size needed to wrestle with the competition's power forwards.

"I think size-wise there's no issue," Nicks said.

"What we're working on is that aggression.

"Sometimes with these younger kids there's not that aggression there that they need to play in that key position.

"As far as weight goes and strength - he's throwing around some huge weights in the gym. So there's no issue from a strength point of view it's more of a mindset. Has he got that mindset to be aggressive enough on a key forward like a Schulz for example."

Trengove landed awkwardly while attempting to take a mark at training on Monday.

Port initially feared he'd done significant damage but scans revealed only bruising to the knee.

Nicks said Trengove was hopeful of returning for the club's final trial game against St Kilda and should be ready for round one.

"In the wash up it's not as bad as what we initially thought," he said.

"He's very important to us ... if we can get him back ready to go for the season it will be a positive."

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SA clubs must grow base outside of home

WHEN Don Scott famously tore the Hawk off a jumper representing a proposed merger between Hawthorn and Melbourne at the Camberwell Civic Centre after the 1996 season, the Hawks were wracked by debt.

A vote cancelled the proposed merger, but that was only a starting point.

From that moment, and much through the hard work of a team led by president and prominent businessman Ian Dicker, Hawthorn was on its way to becoming a brand.

MORE: Power calls on defence back-up

It was a light-bulb time for the club, borne out of necessity. Some of the changes to the powerful club since then have been profound: it left its Glenferrie Oval base and shifted to the old Waverley Park, it set up a second base in Tasmania and gained lucrative sponsorships there both through the state government and business and became the first club to break the 50,000-barrier in memberships in 2009. When the Hawks won the flag last year, they had more than 63,000 members.

They also had input from former champions such as Jason Dunstall and Dermot Brereton, and were led by former premier Jeff Kennett a decade after Dicker's successful tenure.

It is this simple: the Hawks realised that it had to become more than a club representing the suburb of Hawthorn.

The days of suburb against suburb were long gone: Eddie McGuire completed a similar turnaround of Collingwood.

It had become a national competition, and that meant competing for a national audience, while at the same time not offending the core base with links to Hawthorn.

This is the same time for Adelaide's two clubs.

People questioned the wisdom of having a Sydney-based president in David Koch when he was first elected at Alberton; he has been nothing but a success.

Adelaide, as reported in The Advertiser, is now making a concerted effort to sign up members in the US, NSW and Victoria, which is considered the most promising growth market.

It is not just ambitious and aspiring work. It is essential.

If the two South Australian clubs want to be top-liners and compete with clubs such as Hawthorn and Collingwood, they need to grow their base. They need to think bigger than ever, and outside the state borders for anybody with a connection to their clubs who could become a potential customer.

Port Adelaide celebrate a win at AAMI Stadium. Source: News Limited

Having a range of experts preparing the players with cutting-edge technology cost money, and just a cursory glance at the Magpies' staff list shows how much it invests in football each year.

Adelaide Oval is a big part of the solution, but not just because it is a more convenient location for many South Australians.

When chief executive Andrew Demetriou contacted SACA president Ian McLachlan about a shift from Football Park to Adelaide Oval there was also a bigger picture in mind: bringing more interstate fans to South Australia.

As well as Football Park served football here, it was difficult for Melburnians to get themselves to the ground if they flew in and big-note sponsors of the all of the clubs from outside SA were always reluctant to come here because of the lack of entertainment around West Lakes and the effort required to get there.

With a ground in the city, close to hotels and public transport, this is the time for the big sell for the Crows and the Power.

The next few months could not be more important for the clubs, which have already started to put strategies in place.

There is not a minute to waste if they want to compete with the best.

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I'll lead if you want, Nick

Leigh Montagna (left) would be happy to lead the Saints if Nick Riewoldt didn't put his hand up for the job. Source: News Limited

ST KILDA veteran Leigh Montagna admits he'd seriously consider captaining the Saints if he had the support of his teammates and Nick Riewoldt didn't want to continue in the role.

But Montagna, speaking at training at Seaford this morning, said he expected Riewoldt to again lead the Saints.

The club has called in Leading Teams to restructure its leadership role after the organisation played key part in remodelling other clubs, including Sydney and Geelong.

PIC GALLERY: SAINTS SWEAT IT OUT

He said he still believed Riewoldt was the man for the captaincy, but they would conduct the Leading Teams model on the leadership.

"I would think that Nick would clearly still be the man for the job but I can't see why that would change," he said.

"But with the Leading Teams model we will go through the formal procedures and pick a leadership group and from there pick the captain. I would certainly expect Nick to do it if he wants to do it."

SAINTS' WOES SET TO GO

Despite last week's blistering heat, Montagna said the players didn't ease off and revealed that new coach Alan Richardson's mantra was to keep going and no-one would be backing off or taking any short cuts.

He said Richardson's motto was that he'd prefer the players to wear out, rather than rust out.

"He would rather have guys pushing themselves to the limit, rather than backing off," Montagna said.

"That's probably something that has been a challenge for some guys but it's good.

"We were just told that it was probably our heaviest load week we have done in the pre-season so far and in those conditions.

"It's been a good challenge for the boys, all mental challenges and at the same time we are getting our conditioning."

Montagna in action late last year. Source: News Limited

After training in the snow at Boulder, Colorado, during the club's two-week, high-altitude training camp late last year, Montagna said he felt like being back there after last week's stifling conditions.

Montagna said it was obvious that the players wanted the team to improve after being on a downward trend for the past two seasons.

"How long it takes we don't know," he said.

"I suppose the positive having Richo come from Port Adelaide is that he has been there when it's happened pretty quickly and it gives us a lot of confidence that it is possible and as he said it all happened with Port Adelaide the year before working hard in the pre-season and building that confidence that you have done the work. And that's where we are at the moment and we'll see where that takes us come the season."

SAINTS' STARS REUNITE

Montagna said Richardson had been honest with the players and given them support when they're going well and would also issue a rev and give feedback on the spot and tell those who needed to lift their game.

Football isn't the only pressing issue for Montagna.

At the moment Montagna and his fiancee Erinn have been forced to find alternative arrangements for their wedding on Saturday week following the fire which destroyed the iconic St Kilda Stokehouse on Friday night.

He said that after Erinn had spent 10 months organising their wedding at The Stokehouse, she now had two weeks to re-organise it another venue.

"We haven't got a venue yet, but we spent the weekend brainstorming and my fiancee has taken a couple of days off work and she'll get on to it today," Montagna said.

"I'm sure it will still end up being a good day."

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Knee blow for Trengove

ackson Trengove (left) will miss a month of training after jarring a knee at training on Tuesday. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

PORT Adelaide key defender Jackson Trengove will miss a month of football after jarring his knee at training.

The Power initially feared Trengove had done serious damage but scans have revealed only bad bruising to the knee.

"It did look quite bad when he jarred the knee, so frankly it's a relief that scans have shown he's only got bone bruising," defensive coach Matthew Nicks said.

"Jackson's injury will be managed on a day-to-day basis and we're hoping he can resume full training within a few weeks.

"It's an injury that can heal quickly in the right circumstances so we're hopeful he'll play sooner rather than later."

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