Adelaide small forward Ned McHenry is one of many Victorian-born players unable to return home so far this off-season.
But McHenry, who re-committed to the Club by signing a two-year contract extension this week, told Adelaide radio South Australia felt like home.
Although the 21-year-old has only lived in Adelaide for three years, he says Adelaide’s lifestyle quickly captured his heart.
“Mum calls me and of course I miss her and I do miss home but I honestly feel like Adelaide is home these days as well,” McHenry said.
“But I’ve got a little house, I’ve got a dog (in Adelaide), so I’m pretty well set up.
“I’ve got some awesome people around me in Adelaide, even outside the football Club.
“Life’s just good here and I really enjoy it.”
McHenry said there was another benefit of remaining in Adelaide this off-season.
“The Vic boys like myself, we can’t really get home at the moment,” McHenry said.
“(But) it’s a bit of a blessing in disguise for training because we can catch up in groups.
“A lot of the boys are in groups of about 10 to 12 and we’re running and doing footy drills.”
McHenry, who was coming off a breakout season in which he played 21 games at AFL level, was now set to remain at West Lakes until at least the end of 2024.
“It was pretty exciting and I was pretty honoured to work through it (the contract extension),” McHenry said.
“Obviously the Club came to me with an opportunity to re-sign and it was a no-brainer, really, in terms of footy with the Adelaide Footy Club and life in Adelaide.
“I just love playing footy and love playing for the Crows.”
McHenry was drafted from Victoria in 2018 and made his AFL debut in 2020 when he played eight games.
This year he cemented a spot in the side to finish equal 10th in the best-and-fairest and received the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy for professionalism and attention to detail.
McHenry said he was working toward moving into the midfield but was also focused on developing his craft as a small forward.
”That’s definitely the goal - to be a midfielder at AFL level,” McHenry said.
“I think Nicksy has been really supportive with that as well.
“But it’s also understanding that if that is my role at half-forward, I have to keep improving at that as well.”
Adelaide’s first-to-four year players will return for pre-season training next month, while the senior stars will take to the track in early December.
