IN MATTHEW Nicks' football life, there are two contracts. 

One is a three-year arrangement to coach Adelaide, the other an open-ended deal with mates and family to ensure he doesn’t "lose my way".

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

Speaking on In The Game with Damian Barrett, Nicks said he had given full licence to that second group of people to call him and his behaviours out whenever required.

"My mates keep me more than level," Nicks said. "I happen to be in a very, very hot seat in a state where the people and the supporters are very passionate about the game.

"So eventually we will be pressured as far as the results we're getting. I understand that, so what I've obviously put in place are people who can let me know when I lose my way.

"I want to stay in this space, obviously want to learn and develop. But I've got contracts drawn up with a few people. There are unofficial contracts, but if I become a bit of a different person, let's put it that way, then they're only too happy to come and let me know.

"There's a number of people … mates, really close friends through the corporate world, my wife (Courtney). We have got things ready to go if and when the pressure comes."

Nicks, 44, secured the Crows job after Don Pyke stood down at the end of 2019, following two seasons of non-finals finishes.

He was Leon Cameron's senior assistant at GWS in the Giants' Grand Final run of 2019, a role which came after eight years at Port Adelaide.

"It's far from broken, far from broken, and that includes the playing group," Nicks said of the Crows, who struggled as a club after losing the 2017 Grand Final to Richmond.

"So I knew there was a really strong core within the organisation that was just sitting under the surface. And when you talk about our playing group, even speaking with our most experienced now in (Rory) Sloane and (Taylor) Walker and (Tom) Lynch, (Daniel) Talia, they know that as well. They know that it's incredible how quickly or how small the percentage is between sitting in the top four and sitting in the bottom four. I think everyone has a respect for that."

In the In The Game interview, Nicks also:

• SPOKE of an instant fondness of 2017 draftee Darcy Fogarty. "It's funny because when you mention his name, we smile … the character that he is, similar to Tex (Walker)";
• REVEALED that in 2005 - his final year of a 10-season career as a player with the Swans - he was made to feel a full part of that year's premiership despite missing with injury, and that that had shaped his philosophy on the main requirements for success in the AFL;
• IS quietly confident young players Wayne Milera and Tyson Stengle will have impactful seasons.