When Adelaide recruit Alex Neal-Bullen stepped foot on the Crows’ West Lakes training deck to begin his 10th AFL pre-season, he realised his football journey had come full circle. 

Growing up a Crows supporter, the Club’s training base was the home of his earliest football memories, a place where he and his Pop would go and cheer on the Club’s champions of yesteryear. 

It was the place where his love for the game was born. 

Almost 20 years after those core memories were created, the South Australian has returned to his home state, and will live out his boyhood dream of donning the Crows’ tri-colours. 

“Running around out on the oval here at West Lakes, I can visualise where I used to sit with my Pop watching the Crows play in the early 2000’s,” Neal-Bullen said. 

“Even though there is no stadium it is still cool to know that I am out there playing footy on that same hallowed turf.

“Coming back to where I grew up loving footy, walking around and seeing the old premiership cups of ‘97 and ‘98 it is a bit surreal, and having the opportunity to impart my own story on this footy Club is really exciting.

“Once that first practice game comes around, having the honour of pulling on the colours will be a cool moment for me, but there is still a lot of effort and intensity I need to put in to be rewarded with that opportunity.” 

Neal-Bullen left home in 2014 to begin his AFL journey, joining Melbourne with Pick No.40 in the National Draft, and proceeding to play 176 games and win a premiership.

Preparing for his tenth season at the elite level, the 29-year-old has undertaken arguably the biggest challenge of his career in joining a new team. 

“Walking into an environment where everybody is so welcoming has made it a smooth transition,” Neal-Bullen said. 

“There is a group of players here that are highly competitive, so being able to tap into that has been great and you don’t need to look too far to see the level of intensity they strive for here.

“I feel like my body is in really good condition, I’m feeling really excited about the year, which tells me that I’m mentally fresh and super keen to pull on the colours and get to work with this group.”

Reflecting on the pre-season to date, he said there was one key trait that stood out about the group. 

“As soon as I stepped foot onto the oval here at this footy club, the competitiveness is through the roof, the second that whistle goes the boys are straight into it, which is great,” Neal-Bullen said. 

“That tells me the group is desperate to improve, with that desire being evident in every training session I’ve been a part of so far this pre-season.

“I just want to come here and be a player that my teammates can trust, and always bring an intensity that can help us perform in the right way. 

“If there are any challenges that are happening on field, I would like to think I have the experience and composure to recognise that and help us move forward, to hopefully put on a great performance for all of our friends, family and fans in the stands.” 

Away from football, Neal-Bullen is adapting to life back home and relishing the opportunity to spend time with friends and family. 

“I feel very fortunate that I’m back in South Australia and still living out my childhood dream of playing AFL footy,” Neal-Bullen said. 

“To be able to bring my family and friends, who are in Adelaide, along for the journey with me is incredibly special. 

“After a full day’s work, driving home and being able to see my parents, the in-laws, my Nannas, that’s something I never thought I’d be able to do while still playing AFL footy. 

“Adelaide has always been home for me and those little things, they make me so much more grateful to be in this position.

“The way Melbourne was able to understand my family’s situation and give me the opportunity to come back to my home, I couldn’t be more grateful, I will always cherish the relationships I made at the Demons and hope I can form similar relationships with the people here.”