FUN has returned to the Crows' nest and, not coincidentally, so too has the excellence.

Adelaide star Rory Laird revealed the club's playing list is in considerably better physical shape than it was 12 months ago to attack pre-season training and the season proper.

The Crows were minor premiers in 2017 and ultimately lost the Grand Final to Richmond, before enduring a raft of injuries this season, along with the fallout from a controversial pre-season camp on the Gold Coast.

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With Richmond and Collingwood being among the recent examples of clubs adopting an overwhelmingly positive attitude, it seems Don Pyke and his coaching panel has followed suit with their players, and Laird said that the results so far had been fruitful.

"It's been very positive since we've come back. We've had a really good balance between having fun for some training sessions and then when it's time to train hard, we do," the defensive playmaker told reporters on Monday as the Crows started a three-day training camp on the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide.

"It's a very positive vibe around the club. All the boys are really enjoying the training, everyone's come back in really good shape and that's put us in a good position to train at a high level.

"I think we were a bit slow to start last year. A lot of boys, including myself, came back a little bit slower than we'd like to in terms of (3km time trials) and the overall training conditions.

"This year (we've) been a lot better with that and it's enabled us to train at a higher standard."

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It has also enabled the coaches to inject more enjoyment and "leniency" into the program, Laird said.

"Instead of last year where we were sort of chasing our tails a bit this time of year, we're actually able to have some free time and enjoy it a bit more," he said.

It was the result of a "holistic", united approach from both the coaches and the players.

"If the coaches come in grumpy all the time, it hangs on us. I'm not saying that was the case or anything, but the way they have come with our training, the variety they've given us and the overall positive feel they've given around the club reflects on us as players," Laird said.

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"Obviously we drive it a fair bit as well in terms of the way we train and when it's positive (from both parties) it balances out really well."

Laird, a dual All Australian defender, is also searching for a better balance in his own game, particularly in terms of developing as a leader.

"Leadership is an area I'm always trying to work on. I'm not the most outspoken person, so for me it's a factor I can keep improving on and it starts with training, so this time of year is really important for me," he said.

The Crows will conclude their training camp with an open training session at Noarlunga Oval on Wednesday morning before starting their three-week Christmas break.

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