Crows can win the flag: McLeod

Adelaide legend Andrew McLeod talks footy with indigenous players Dellick Nelson,15, Gerard Watson,15, and Kingsley Nelson,15, from the Pipalyatjara community. Picture: Dean Martin. Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE can put its off-season of turmoil behind it to win its first flag in 15 years, says Crows great Andrew McLeod.

As the Crows last night held a board meeting to consider whether to appeal against assistant coach Dean Bailey's 16-round AFL-imposed suspension, McLeod said Adelaide remained well placed to improve on last year's third placing.

He declared the club would not miss departed key forward Kurt Tippett and the players would not be affected by suspensions to Bailey, chief executive Steven Trigg and football operations manager Phil Harper.

"They can win it," said McLeod, who was Adelaide's grand final hero in its 1997 and 1998 premiership victories, winning consecutive Norm Smith Medals.

It wasn't Kurt Tippett who got them into the position they were in last year, it was the whole football team that did that

"It hasn't been the best off-season for them but I don't think it will impact the way they play their footy," he said.

"The players will move on and they proved last year they were good enough - they were one kick away from making a grand final - and there's no reason why they can't get back there and go further."

Adelaide Crows training at Naracoorte Football Oval, from left, Brent Reilly, Bernie Vince, Andy Otten, Ben Rutten and Scott Thompson. Picture: Sarah Reed.

McLeod said Tippett's loss to Sydney had been overstated and other players could fill the void left by the 202cm giant.

"If people concentrate too much on the Tippett factor, I think they are underestimating the power of the Adelaide Football Club team," he said.

"It wasn't Kurt Tippett who got them into the position they were in last year, it was the whole football team that did that.

"I think they've got some players there in (Josh) Jenkins and Shauny Mac (McKernan) who will be able to step up.

"And they've got some young guys who we saw on the weekend (in the NAB Cup) who have shown some great promise.

"I think the club is in good hands and has well and truly moved on from the sagas."

Adelaide will get one hand back on deck next Friday when Harper returns to work from his two-month ban for his involvement in the Tippett salary cap scandal.

Trigg is not allowed to return until July 1.

Bailey - suspended for his role in the Melbourne tanking affair - cannot work at Crows games or one-on-one with players at training once the season starts until after the round 16 clash with Collingwood on July 12.

He can fulfil other duties, such as game planning, scouting, list management and recruiting.

Adelaide is still angry at his ban and could still lodge an appeal with the AFL.

While McLeod is convinced the Crows will still be a force, he refuted suggestions from list manager David Noble the off-field issues that have rocked the club could galvanise the players.

"I don't think they need that sort of motivation. If you are looking for motivation that way then obviously you are not playing the game for the right reasons," McLeod said.

"They are highly motivated people.

"I'm sure they've spoken about it but you see them out there training and they are just worried about how they can improve on last year and go one step further and play in a (grand) final."

A SHATTERED Bailey continues to dodge the media but has been told by the Crows he should hold a short press conference to stop him being chased for comments.

McLEOD yesterday helped launch the Crows' Aboriginal Youth Leadership and Governance Program, which is designed to prepare Year 8 to 12 indigenous children to take on leadership roles in their communities and gain employment after school.

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