Former Collingwood defender Jack Madgen has spoken on his departure from the Magpies and his new role with the Adelaide Crows, where he's seeking to mentor the club's youthful ranks across multiple levels.
Madgen, who joined the Magpies as a Category B Rookie in 2017 following his time in the NBL, played 48 games in the black and white, including nine this year.
His time at the club would come to an end this off-season, with Collingwood opting against offering the key defender a new deal for 2023, with Madgen returning to his home state of South Australia shortly after.
Speaking on his exit at the Magpies, the recently delisted backman said he wasn't surprised to see his time at Olympic Park come to an end.
“I could sort of see it coming, when you're not playing at the end of the year and you're healthy and out of contract, you sort of know it's a possibility,” Madgen told afc.com.au.
“I just worked on what's next and the process of elimination, working through the options and the past two months I've barely been able to take a breath.
“But now that I'm (with Adelaide) and getting stuck into it and meeting everyone, it's becoming real and I am really happy with the decision.”
While Madgen has linked up with Adelaide's SANFL side on a one-year deal, the Barossa Valley product will be looking to mentor and aid the development of Crows' defenders both at AFL level and across their reserves program.
The 29-year-old expressed his excitement to be stepping into a role where he can help emerging players work on the mental side of their game as much as their on-field efforts.
“I really wanted to get into the development and welfare space in football, but I also still wanted to play football at the highest level possible for me," he said.
"...When I was 18, 19, the mental side of the game wasn't there, like the athlete welfare and becoming a whole person rather than just a footballer.
“I think there's so much in that and it's still largely untapped, so I am really looking forward to helping the younger kids and the SANFL-listed guys live like a professional, get their diet and their mental training right.
“I know there's some great young defenders on the Crows' AFL list, so to be able to help develop them on the field with leadership and also understanding they are the ones playing for a spot in the AFL side, so doing whatever I can to facilitate that.”
The 2023 SANFL fixture is yet to be released, while the Crows will be looking to improve on their second-place finish from this year.
