ADELAIDE has strengthened its high-performance program, bringing in renowned physiotherapist and research scientist Steve Saunders in response to the club's crippling number of hamstring injuries.

Saunders worked as a consultant with the Crows this year, but starts in a full-time capacity in the coming weeks where he will report to general manager of high performance, Matt Hass.

Saunders has previously been the director of sports science and medical services at North Melbourne, and assisted several other AFL teams.

He's also consulted to Cricket Australia, the South Australian Cricket Association, Athletics Australia, the UK Sports Institute, English Premier League clubs and NBA teams in his nearly 30 years of experience.

Earlier this season, the Crows axed aspects of their new muscle-strengthening training program after suffering a high number of hamstring injuries.

INJURY CRISIS Hamstring plague forces Crows to act

Matt Crouch, Riley Knight, Wayne Milera, skipper Taylor Walker, Sam Gibson, Eddie Betts, Kyle Cheney, Kyle Hartigan and Andrew McPherson were among those sidelined with hamstring problems during the season.

Player workloads were reduced and elements of strength training removed after an internal review found the Crows attempted to squeeze in too much into a shortened pre-season coming off last year's Grand Final loss to Richmond.

The Crows also confirmed assistant coach Josh Francou and development coach Tate Kaesler had left the club.

In a statement, the Crows said Francou "leaves after a challenging season and wanting a break" after his first year of a three-year contract, having joined the club from Sydney.

Walker told Triple M on Wednesday it was his understanding Francou would return to teaching.

Kaesler spent nearly a decade at the Crows, but has taken up a midfield development coaching role at Gold Coast.

"Not only are they great football people in their own right, but they are also quality individuals, who have put in countless hours trying to make the club and people around them better," Crows head of football Brett Burton said. 

"We wish them and their families every success now and into the future."