ADELAIDE hope James Podsiadly's career as a forward will help teach the Crows' backmen how to stop the League's most dangerous sharpshooters next year. 

Podsiadly forged a memorable career with both Geelong and the Crows, booting 195 goals in 104 games and winning the 2011 premiership as a key forward with the Cats.

He spent much of his final season at West Lakes as a utility-type player, swinging back in the SANFL to great effect before retiring last month.

Head of football David Noble said the 34-year-old's versatility would translate well as a line coach.

"In essence it's now that ability to teach the defence how to play more like a forward, in anticipation of where the ball's going to come in and how you actually gather those intercept marks and generate offence," Noble said of Podsiadly.

"What he can bring is some key position development, some of that real craft of forward and back.

"The package he brings is really good."

Adelaide's first-to-fourth-year players return to training on November 23.