Adelaide has re-signed senior coach Matthew Nicks for a further year, securing his services until the end of 2027.
The decision sees Nicks avoid entering next year off-contract, with the 50-year-old rewarded off the back of a minor premiership-clinching campaign at West Lakes.
Nicks has been at the helm of the Crows since 2020, steering the side from a wooden spoon in his maiden year to a finals return in 2025.
This year was also the first time Nicks amassed a positive record in charge of the club.
The former GWS and Port Adelaide assistant has won 55 of his 131 games as coach of the Crows, with 18 of those victories coming this year alone.
“We have been working to a clear and deliberate strategy since deciding on a list rebuild several years ago and we have trust in our program,” Crows CEO Tim Silvers said.
“Matthew has done a great job in that time and he has built a strong, positive culture in which our people are thriving.
“We believe in him and importantly, we have alignment on our vision for the future.
“We are starting to see rewards, both in results and the development and progression of our young talent, and our challenge now is to maintain that momentum.”
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 22: Matthew Nicks, Senior Coach of the Crows at 3 quarter time during the 2024 AFL Round 2 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on March 22, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Nicks spoke on his decision to recommit to the club for a further 12 months, highlighting the “alignment, trust and a shared vision” at Adelaide that has the club well-placed for the future.
“From the coaching and playing groups to the high performance and administration teams, we have lots of talent but ultimately, just lots of great people,” he said.
“There’s alignment, trust and a shared vision for where we are heading and how we can deliver on our ambition.
“We have seen plenty of improvement and our collective focus is on getting to work and doing so with an intensity and purpose, and ensuring we keep making progress.”
Adelaide’s 2026 campaign commences against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday, March 14