Adelaide forward Brayden Cook’s first year at West Lakes wasn’t the smoothest.
Cook, who was Adelaide’s third pick at the 2020 National Draft, entered the doors at West Lakes with a shoulder injury and it took a while for him to shake it.
But that only made the now 19-year-old hungrier to earn his stripes at the Crows and break into the team.
“I think I came in a bit underdeveloped anyway and the shoulder (injury) probably wouldn’t have helped,” Cook said.
“I think I just had to get to work and I was probably a few months behind but I feel like I made that up pretty quickly.”
Since making his debut in the Round 21 Showdown against Port Adelaide last year, Cook has gone from strength to strength.
He has played six out of the seven matches so far this season, averaging 11.7 disposals, including a medical sub appearance in Round Six.
Speaking on this week’s episode of The Crows Show, Cook said hard work and determination was behind his rapid rise.
“It feels pretty good and a reward for all the hard work I’ve put in,” Cook said.
“Hopefully I can continue to stay in the side.
“I’m definitely a lot fitter and I think that obviously helps in a lot of different aspects in the game and it means you can play better for longer.”
Crows Assistant Coach Nathan van Berlo said Cook had plenty of talent but was “probably as raw as you could get from a draftee point of view”.
“I vividly remember the first time Brayden came through the door,” van Berlo said.
“It wasn’t before too long that we started to see his body shape changing and he was knocking on my door and Micky Godden’s door every second day learning about the game, learning about what it takes.
“Before we knew it, the year transitioned and he was putting his name up for selection.”
Also on The Crows Show this week, Billy Frampton joins Belinda Sloane at Bodega, a new cafe at West Lakes housed inside the Crows training facility, while Josh Rachele catches up with Tom Doedee to chat about his ‘Whopper Moment’.
The Crows Show airs on Channel 7 on Sunday at 3.30pm.
