Going from playing amateur football to being an AFL-listed player in just two years is a big jump for anyone.
In 2017, Shane McAdam played for Scotch Old Collegians in division two of the Adelaide Footy League, before former Sturt coach and now Crows assistant Marty Mattner recruited him to the Double Blues.
Only 12 months later, McAdam arrived at West Lakes after being traded from Carlton as a pre-draft access pick.
It took the 24-year-old a while to adjust to the demands of training in an AFL environment.
“When I first got to the Club, I would go home and sit on the couch for just two minutes and I would be out,” McAdam said.
“I would sleep because I just had nothing left in me for the rest of the day.
“But I’m starting to find my way, I’m better now.”
McAdam has “mixed emotions” about his first eight months at the Club.
The speedy forward suffered an early setback after tearing his calf in the SANFL Crows’ second trial match in March.
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He missed the first month of the season, but since making his Crows debut in Round Five McAdam has kicked seven goals and averaged 12 disposals.
“I remember sitting on the sidelines and I feel like training in rehab is a lot harder than normal training so that was frustrating,” McAdam said.
“Now that I am playing again, it’s just so much better.
“I’m getting closer to my teammates now that I am playing and that is helping push me, I’m loving every minute.”
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Given how far McAdam has come in a short amount of time, he said he is using this year as an “eye-opener.”
“I’ve come from a long way back, it has been a big step up in 12 months,” he said.
“The main thing I am working on is my fitness and stamina – I think my skills will come with that.
“And getting through games now that I am fully fit, being able to run out them out is my main priority at the moment.”
On Saturday, McAdam will face his former side, Sturt, but this time in a new role.
“Last year at Sturt, I was more of a deep forward player but this year, I’m trying to expand my game and move up the field a bit more,” he said.
“I’m trying to get my hands on the footy higher up the field and help my teammates playing deep.
“So, I’m wondering who [from Sturt] is going to be playing on me.”
The game at Unley Oval will get underway at 2.10pm.
