Ian Callinan Biography

Crows recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie reflects on drafting his good friend Ian Callinan as a 27-year-old prospect during the 2010 rookie draft.

"That's my favourite pick because we got to draft a friend," Ogilvie said.

"We should've done it way earlier. The game should've done it earlier, because he was that good. Who knows how good he could've been if he got drafted as an 18 or 19-year-old."

Ian Callinan will captain Adelaide's reserves next season after recently being appointed an assistant development coach with the club.

"Ian is a strong leader and mentor, he understands the competitiveness of the SANFL competition and he also understands what it is like to be trying to earn AFL selection," Adelaide reserves coach Heath Younie said.

"He will be good for all our State League players, whether they are experienced players coming back to the SANFL, young Crows trying to impress or the development players."

The Crows hire delisted small forward Ian Callinan as a development coach with its new SANFL team.

"Ian has fantastic football knowledge that we believe he can now utilise as a coach," Adelaide list manager David Noble said.

"The role will involve a lot of coaching and mentoring of our younger Crows and the 'top-up' players, plus Ian can still play at a very high level and assist the team on-field in what will be a very competitive environment."

With encouragement from Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson, Ian Callinan says he may pursue coaching opportunities with the Crows if he fails to find a new AFL home.

"I'm keen to do development, but he sees me as more of a coaching sort of person, so he wants me to tap into that during the year and see if I like it," Callinan said on SEN radio.

The Crows delist veteran small forward Ian Callinan and youngster Nick Joyce.

"I'd like to congratulate Ian, who refused to give up on his AFL dream and thoroughly deserved his chance to play at the highest level, even if it did come much later than he had hoped," Adelaide list development manager David Noble said.

Following Adelaide's recruitment of small forward Eddie Betts, Ian Callinan is considering a move to another club where greater playing opportunities may lie.

"He loves the (Adelaide) footy club, but if the opportunity to play senior footy there no longer exists then he's willing to explore other options," Callinan's manager Ben Williams said.

"He's played in three states – moving isn't an issue for him. Homesickness and many of the issues that plague younger guys don't affect Ian."

Small forward Ian Callinan has been upgraded to Adelaide's main list for 2013.

"Ian was always part of our plans for next season but we needed to delay the decision to upgrade him until we had a closer look at our primary list numbers through the early stages of the trade and free agency periods," Crows list manager David Noble said.

"He had a strong season, polled club champion votes in a lot of games, was our second highest goal kicker and was also a strong leader and mentor off the field."

Ian Callinan believes Adelaide can follow in the footsteps of his SANFL club Central District and find success by winning the hard ball.

"Centrals pride themselves on contested footy, they play probably a more one-on-one brand of footy whereas at AFL level it's a bit different to that," Callinan said.

"AFL footy's all about contested footy now and if you can't play that contested style of footy you probably can't compete against the top sides."

Adelaide rookie Ian 'Wingnut' Callinan stayed remarkably upbeat during his tough debut season in 2011 as he struggled with injuries.

"We had a fairly young squad and Craigy just asked if I could be a mentor to those younger players. That's probably what kept me going last season really," Callinan said.

"I just tried to get around the young guys and the group as much as I could and stay positive. I'd been waiting for the opportunity to play AFL for 10 years and I didn't want to let it slip."

Ian Callinan's long journey to play AFL at the age of 28 is set to continue for at least another year at the Crows.

"There's a possibility Ian will go onto the senior list, but at worst he'll be re-rookied," Crows list manager David Noble said.

"We'll wait and see how he goes in the finals with Central District, but moving forward we see him staying around the place."

Ian Callinan makes his AFL debut for Adelaide at Kardinia Park with 21 disposals (12 kicks and 9 handballs), 2 marks, 5 tackles and a goal in a 52-point loss to Geelong.

Despite his team's poor performance, Adelaide's Ian Callinan was pleased to finally make his AFL debut with 21 disposals, two clearances and a goal against Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

"It is something I have dreamed about my whole life," Callinan said.

"He (Neil Craig) said I may get some time in there (and) it was good to get the opportunity in there."

After a lengthy break due to a serious bicep injury, mature Crows rookie Ian Callinan is named in Adelaide's extended 25-man squad for their clash with Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

"It's great recognition for him, he's a fair chance to play his first game and it's fantastic for him if it falls that way; he's obviously under consideration," Crows coach Neil Craig said.

Adelaide rookie Ian Callinan's dream of playing in the AFL is on hold after being ruled out for 12 weeks with a bicep injury he suffered while playing in a practice match against Carlton.

"It's not all over, by any stretch of the imagination," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

"I really liked some of the things he was doing. The elevation issue will still be there, available for him, if his performance warrants it; so he understands that."

Mature-age rookie has pressed his claims for a round one start with an impressive hit-out at the Crows' internal trial on Friday.

"Ian can really kick the ball and it gives us an opportunity to maybe see Jason Porplyzia a bit more in the midfield if he can maintain that. It's early days yet, but anyone who can kick goals is very hand for you," Crows football operations manager Phil Harper said.

"Ian's an impressive player. We've thought that for a while and no one has really given him a go [at AFL level]. He's really popular amongst all the guys and hopefully it all works out for him."

Adelaide midfielder Scott Thompson says mature rookie and teammate Ian Callinan has what it takes to play AFL football.

"I remember playing a game against Ian 10 years ago when I was still with Melbourne. I was playing for Sandringham in the VFL and he was playing for Tassie and I remember thinking, 'Gee this bloke is good'," Thompson said.

"He's got unbelievable skill and reads the game beautifully and I couldn't believe that he hadn't been picked up by an AFL club years ago, but he's got his chance now and I think he'll grab it with both hands."

Adelaide's 27-year-old recruit Ian Callinan says he has Geelong's James Podsiadly to thank for his selection in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

"I played a state game with him in 2005 and to see what he did ... it sort of gives you hope," Callinan said.

"A guy at 27 years of age doesn't think he's going to get an opportunity in the AFL, but without a doubt guys like Podsiadly and Michael Barlow have given mature-age players another opportunity.