Former AFL star Lindsay Thomas has been appointed coach of Adelaide Crows' Indigenous Pathways program.
The club announced the signing of the former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide forward on social media on Wednesday.
"The Indigenous Pathways role will work closely with our NGA (Next Generation Academy) First Nations players (male and family programs)," a statement read.
"It will allow the Crows to continue mentoring and further drive talent identification, player development, and progression of all NGA talent."
The Wirangu and Kokatha man grew up on the Eyre Peninsula and has strong connections to his hometown of Port Lincoln.
He played 205 AFL games with the Kangaroos and a further seven games for Port Adelaide in an elite career that spanned more than a decade.
Thomas kicked 329 goals – claiming North Melbourne's leading goal kicker award on two occasions – including a career-best 53 majors in 2013.
The Adelaide Crows' Academy aims to nurture, attract, inspire and develop participants to the game of Australian football.
In 2024, the club had ten Indigenous players featured in their Next Generation Academy, many of which have strong family ties to current or former AFL stars.
These include Shaquan Davey – the nephew of Aaron and Alwyn, Justin and Jermaine Miller – nephews of Graham Johncock and Eddie Betts, Anthony Long – nephew of Michael Long, and Malachi Varcoe – the nephew of Travis.
The Crows' Academy has had a number of talented Indigenous players progress into the AFL ranks, including St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and his promising young teammate Isaac Keeler.
