Adelaide has welcomed legendary administrator and list boss Neil Balme to the club's board of directors alongside former Crows player James Gallagher.

The West Lakes club has been after Balme's services since 2020, and after he recently stepped away from Richmond at the end of the 2024 campaign, that dream became a reality.

Balme is one of the most respected figures in the game after multiple successful stints across many competitions as a player, coach and administrator.

Joining the Crows as the new football director, Balme will also Chair the Football Strategy Committee and be part of the List Management Committee, and provide general support to the football department.

"Football has always been such a big part of my life and this is a new challenge, and great opportunity to remain involved in the game in an official capacity," Balme said.

"In recent years I've had numerous conversations with the Crows and the likes of John Olsen, Mark Ricciuto and Tim Silvers, and I obviously have strong ties to South Australian football, and this role is a good fit."

Balme has a long-standing relationship with South Australia, playing and coaching in the SANFL during the 1980s and early 1990s.

The former Richmond player won two (1982, 1984) premierships as coach with Norwood and is a life member of the club.

Since then, he has operated as a football operations manager at Collingwood (1998-2006) before heading to Geelong (2007-2014) and returning to the Pies.

Balme then returned to his VFL club (Richmond) ahead of the club's dynasty, playing a major part in the three premierships as a general manager of football at the Tigers, which is deemed as a 'godfather' role among the AFL circles.

Gallagher's appointment will see him join both the Football Strategy and List Management committees alongside Balme.

Gallagher played 38 games for the Crows between 2001-2004 and then went on to play 228 SANFL games for Norwood, including five years as captain and he was part of the Redlegs' 2012 premiership.

The former Crow also spent time at St Kilda as the Head of List Management before returning to South Australia.

"My time at the Crows as a player remains one of the most memorable parts of my football journey," Gallagher said.

"I'm looking forward to getting back to the Club, forging new relationships and gaining a greater understanding of its inner workings, so I can assist the football department and administration in any way I can."

Vacancies on the Board were made after the resignations of former Federal Labor MP Kate Ellis and winemaker Warren Randall.

Current board member and Adelaide champion Mark Ricciuto must retire from the Board this year, having reached his tenure limit after becoming a Director in 2014.

Crows Chairman John Olsen described the additions to the Board as significant, adding they reinforced Adelaide's football-first approach and strong governance structure.

"The Club is in an important stage of its on-field evolution and along with Mark, who continues to offer sage advice, Neil and James will provide additional guidance,โ€ Olsen said.

"Replacing a person of Mark's knowledge and standing in the game was never going to be easy and the timing of these latest appointments was important to facilitate an effective handover.

"Neil has seen and done it all in football for over five decades, and he has a proven track record of shaping and overseeing leading football departments. Success follows him.

"With James, we have someone of high character who brings a diverse set of skills and perspective from within and outside the industry."

Balme and Gallagher will officially join the Board at the Club's AGM on March 5.