Matthew Nicks and the Adelaide Crows are in talks regarding a contract extension.
2022 is the final year of the initial three-year deal Nicks signed in 2019 and it is understood that discussions regarding a new deal are ongoing.
Crows CEO Tim Silvers told News Corp as such last week.
“These things can take time but we’ve started discussions and we’ve shown our intent,” Silvers said.
“Matty is an outstanding, great leader and has genuine buy-in from the group.
“I look forward to him being a long-term coach for the club.”
Andrew Hayes and Adam Cooney discussed the potential re-signing of Nicks amid the current AFL coaching landscape which has Alastair Clarkson’s figure seemingly hovering.
Hayes said on SEN SA Breakfast: “I suppose the talk has been do you hold off and see what happens with someone like an Alastair Clarkson or do you just lock ‘Nicksy’ away?
“It (re-signing Nicks) would seem like the sensible and loyal move from Adelaide.”
Cooney also believes locking Nicks away would be a clever approach from the Crows.
“He hasn’t done a lot wrong in his first couple of years,” Cooney said.
“From all reports he has got good relationships with the players and certainly works hard, first in the office and last one to leave. He knows his stuff.
“I think it’s a no-brainer to extend that out.”
The former Western Bulldogs and Essendon midfielder is anticipating some anxiety among coaches throughout season 2022, especially those who are in charge of underperforming teams.
“There would be a few coaches that are really nervous heading into the final year of their contracts and some who are still contracted with Alastair Clarkson looming large overhead,” he added.
“It’s going to be a nervous wait for some coaches who are struggling in the bottom half of the ladder because when you’ve got a coach like ‘Clarko’ waiting in the wings then you want to be doing everything right as a footy club and as a coach. Because you just know that he’s coming.
“This one will be every week if your side is losing. There’s going to be speculation about when the coach is going to go. Has Alastair Clarkson made contact with so and so? Have they spoken to this club? Has their manager spoken to them?
“It’s going to be a big year in terms of coaches and Clarko.”
Nicks has overseen things at West Lakes for two seasons with the Crows improving from three wins in his debut year in 2020 to seven victories last season.