Adelaide is inching closer to getting their man as former Richmond list boss Neil Balme prepares to weigh up a move to South Australia.

The Crows - who have been keen on bringing Balme to the club since the 2020 season - have a vacancy on the board made by the departure of Kate Ellis, while club legend Mark Ricciuto's tenure as director of football is set to constitutionally expire in February.

Ricciuto does have the capacity to be co-opted for another 12 months on the board, opening the door for a handover at the end of the 2025 campaign.

Balme's potential inclusion has been flagged by exploratory talks between him and Crows Chairman John Olsen but nothing has been resolved or finalised at this stage.

Balme did say in June last year that he intends to remain in the game to some capacity.

"I need something to do," Balme said onย Channel 7.

"I'd certainly be keen to do something (at the Crows)... perhaps not full-time.

"He (Matthew Nicks) knows what he's doing. But what he needs is the rest of us, or the people (coaching group, board, administration) to support him."

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) before 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.

Balme finished his time at the Punt Road club at the end of the 2024 season.