Crows confirm departure of prized assistant

The Cats have pulled off a coup, signing a highly-touted Crows assistant.

The Adelaide Football Club has confirmed the departure of highly-touted assistant coach James Rahilly, with the 44-year-old now set to return to back to Kardinia Park for the 2024 season.

Rahilly had called the City of Churches home since the cessation of the 2020 season, acting as Matthew Nicks’ forward line coach for three years.

However, after being courted by the Cats, Rahilly – a Geelong Falcons product – is set to make tracks for the Cattery after telling the club of his desire to return to Victoria for family reasons.

Crows Head of Football Adam Kelly confirmed Rahilly’s wishes on Saturday, stressing that the deputy had played a leading role in aiding Adelaide’s recent improvement.

“James has played a significant role in the development of our team over the past three years and last week it was pleasing to see him rewarded with an AFL Coaches Association Award,” Kelly said.

“A number of our forwards have significantly improved under his guidance and he has been instrumental in building connection across the group with respect to our ball movement, which puts us in a strong position moving forward.

“So while it’s unfortunate that James won’t be continuing with us in 2024, we also understand the nature of the industry and that he has an opportunity to continue his career in his home state, so we wish him, his wife Georgia and their children Van, Hyde, Wren and West all the best for the future.”

Despite being afforded the opportunity to return home, Rahilly stressed that the decision had not been an easy one.

“I’ve loved my time here and grown very close with the players, coaches and staff,” Rahilly said.

“I’m also very proud of the progress we’ve made over the past three years under Nicksy and it’s clear the Club is heading in the right direction and towards success in the near future.

“I’d like to thank Adelaide for giving me the opportunity to broaden my coaching experience in 2021 but now the opportunity to continue that back home with my family is too good to pass up, and I leave wishing the Club nothing but the best.”

After playing 90 games for the Cats between 1998 and 2005, Rahilly first returned to Kardinia Park in 2008, leading the club’s youngest in his role as Geelong’s development coach.

Rahilly also aided Chris Scott in tasting premiership glory in 2011, acting as a full-time assistant during Scott’s first season in the Pivot City.

The pair will now link up again for the 2024 season, with Rahilly set to sit alongside fellow assistants James Kelly, Nigel Lappin and Shane O’Bree.

Rahilly’s arrival comes in the wake of Shaun Grigg’s decision to opt out in an effort to take up a post at Gold Coast under his former head coach, Damien Hardwick.

Adelaide has confirmed they will announce Rahilly’s replacement and finalise its coaching panel for the 2024 season in the coming weeks.