Mark Bickley Biography

Richmond champion Matthew Richardson or Adelaide premiership captain Mark Bickley will present this year's cup to the winning team after Saturday's Grand Final.

Mark Bickley has advised the Crows he will be leaving his role as assistant coach of the club to pursue other opportunities in 2015.

Bickley will remain at the club in a marketing and promotional role.

Mark Bickley says his senior coaching hopes will be boosted if the Crows advance deep into September.

"Generally the assistant coaches that are in high demand are the ones that come from successful organisations," Bickley said.

"I think there were five new coaches last year, and five of them came out of generally Geelong and Collingwood, who were the Grand Final teams.

"I would have thought if I want to be a senior coach, it'd be a really good route for me to be really successful here. If that's the case, people will probably want you."

Mark Bickley will remain at the Crows under new coach Brenton Sanderson, despite missing out on the top job.

"I rang him last night and he's going to stay on in a pivotal role as my right-hand man, which I'm thrilled about," Sanderson said.

"He's critical for our success and will be a great help for me. I mentioned in my presentation [to the coaching selection panel] that if I was to get the job I'd love for 'Bicks' to stay involved if possible."

Adelaide caretaker Mark Bickley isn't sure if he'll apply for the top job, or if he'll stay at the Crows if he is overlooked.

"I haven't thought a great deal about it, but I guess the two options are you stay or you go," Bickley said.

"Maybe I'd do the same as Brenton Sanderson at Geelong [who was overlooked in favour of Chris Scott, but stayed with the Cats]. You could do that, or you might look elsewhere."

Mark Bickley says he doesn't fear his chance to become an AFL coach will pass him by if he is overlooked for the Crows job.

"I have seen other coaches, whether it be Ross Lyon, Mark Harvey, John Longmire the coaching world is littered with people who have had long apprenticeships and gone on to coach," Bickley said.

"So if this time isn't right for the football club or for me, I'm not going to pack my bags and say 'that is it, I have missed my chance'. I will see this as being a wonderful opportunity to gain experience to hopefully become a better coach."

Ruckman Sam Jacobs says Adelaide is revelling in caretaker coach Mark Bickley's attacking game-plan.

"When 'Bicks' came in we changed a few little things. We've been a lot more attacking and the group are revelling in that," Jacobs said following the Crows' win against Brisbane in Round 20.

"He's backing us in to play a lot of instinct footy. I think we're playing a pretty exciting brand at the moment and are attacking really well."

Adelaide interim coach Mark Bickley says he will use his six matches in charge to decide if he wants to apply for the permanent role.

"I see it as an opportunity and a chance to put some skills that have been gathered and honed over the last couple of years to use," Bickley said.

"At the end of that period, it makes a lot of sense to me to sit down and have a think about where to from here; whether that's down the path of yes, I believe I can do this and do this well, or no, I think I need more time."

Mark Bickley takes over as caretaker coach of Adelaide following Neil Craig's resignation but Crows CEO Steven Trigg says he does not have the inside running for the permanent role.

"[Bickley] is not being given the inside running. He has not been given a guarantee. He has been given an opportunity to coach an AFL club for six weeks," Trigg said.

Adelaide assistant coach Mark Bickley predicts an improvement in attacking systems in 2010 as a response to last season's emphasis on defensive methods.

"I had a bit of a look last year and normally it tends to go from defence, then the offence catches up, then defence gets better," Bickley said.

"So last year I think you find it was more of a defensive year. I think St Kilda's had one of the best defences for the past six or seven years in terms of points against. I'd suggest there will be teams working at trying to get around that."

A fit Simon Goodwin, and the possible return of Brett Burton means Adelaide will make at least one change to its winning line-up, says assistant Mark Bickley.

"Simon's had a few weeks on the sidelines now, so we really wanted to see how he touched the ball and he was pretty good today," Bickley said.

"He's the captain of our club and he was in good form before he went out of the side, so he's a very strong possibility to play.

"You might've thought Brett was going to come back pretty rusty and that it would take a couple of weeks for him to get back into it, but on the strength of his performance last week he's a genuine candidate.

"His touch was fantastic, he moved well and he pulled up really well. He's probably been ready for two months in terms of physically being able to run and get involved in training."

Adelaide games record holder Mark Ricciuto had been appointed as an All-Australian selector.

Ricciuto replaces former teammate Mark Bickley. Bickley has accepted an assistant coaching role with the Crows.

Mark Bickley joins the Crows as an assistant coach, leaving behind his appointments in the media.

"I have decided that football is my passion and I want to be involved at the highest level and, fortunately for me, I am able to return to my club to pursue that passion," Bickley said.

"Mark's wealth of experience and football knowledge, coupled with his qualities as a person, will be a great asset to the club," Crows coach Neil Craig said