Adelaide recruit James Peatling has continued to show 'great signs' of being the signing the Crows had successfully lured to South Australia over the off-season.
The 45-gamer sought a move to West Lakes at the end of the 2024 season in the hope of securing a larger midfield role in the AFL, with Adelaide edging out several other keen suitors to land his signature.
Peatling has quickly imposed his classy ball work and link-up play at his new club this summer, with coach Matthew Nicks thrilled with what the 24-year-old has presented this pre-season.
This week's internal trial gave fans a close look at what Peatling will bring to Nicks' engine room this season, with the former Giant ticking boxes as a point of difference in midfield.
"It's why we went after him, he's extremely clean," Nicks said on Friday.
"We're big on players that are clean with the ball, they're one take and they make the game slow down. He showed a little bit of that today and he's shown that right throughout our pre-season.
"All of our stoppage and contest work he's been very clean and very good with his hands. Similar to a Matt Crouch, but he has some different attributes.
"We were really pleased we were able to get him to the footy club along with the others. Today was a great sign of what's to come."
First-round draft pick Sid Draper is rapidly emerging as another element of Nicks' midfield mix, with the local product putting his name up for a Round 1 debut against St Kilda.
Draper, who featured at the SANFL level for South Adelaide in both 2023 and 2024 as a junior, has looked comfortable up against his new teammates at training, with Friday's internal trial no different.
The teenager excelled alongside captain Jordan Dawson and fellow midfielders Jake Soligo and Matt Crouch to strengthen his case as a best 23 player.
"For a first-year player, he showed he's got what it takes," Nicks said of the Pick 4 selection. "There's still a lot to work on but it's a positive sign.
"(A Round 1 debut) will depend on how the next couple of weeks go. Where his game is at at the moment, he has attributes that I think will come through at a higher level.
"The higher level he's played he's stepped up each time. That's a really good sign for a young kid. Today was a great performance in that first half playing alongside Dawson, Soligo and Matt Crouch.
"There's no guarantees, there's still a fair bit of footy before Round 1."
Top 10 pick Dan Curtin has been another player of note from Adelaide's pre-season as he shifts between the forward and midfield thirds despite being the top defender taken in the 2023 draft.
Curtin's versatility was a standout attribute and reason why the Crows called his name at Pick 8 close to 18 months ago, with the Western Australian having no issue in moving into a more attacking role.
"He's going really well," Nicks said.
"Another guy who worked in the break, went away with a speed coach in WA. There are some guys that are just pros, he was an early draft pick for a reason. He's a competitor.
"He had a fair bit to work on when it came to his body, he's a big young kid. He's embraced the gym and looks so much stronger.
"He's another player that when the ball is there to be won... it's just one take, and then he executes.
"If he continues and things are going well, then he's definitely got his name up there."
Adelaide will turn their attention to pre-season games against Port Adelaide and Brisbane over the coming weeks before hosting St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, March 16 to start their home and away season.
