A lot can happen in twelve months. Just ask Lachlan Murphy.

Having been overlooked in the 2016 National and Rookie drafts, Murphy took a huge leap of faith in a bid to keep his AFL dream alive.          

Just 18 years of age at the time, the Victorian relocated to South Australia to join Adelaide’s 27-man SANFL development squad on the back of a TAC Cup campaign that saw him earn the 2016 Northern Knights Brent Harvey Best and Fairest. 

An outstanding season in the SANFL was recognised with Murphy claiming the prestigious Dean Bailey Award as the Club’s best development player.

He also finished fourth in the State League Club Champion count, however, the ultimate reward for Murphy came in November when he was selected by the Crows with pick No. 38 in the Rookie Draft.

The AFL dream had finally become a reality, but the courageous utility wasn’t satisfied.

A solid pre-season provided an opportunity in Adelaide’s opening JLT Community Series game against Fremantle at Strathalbyn, one which Murphy grabbed with both hands. 

He finished the afternoon with a game-high three goals, including a classy finish on the run from 40m in the final quarter, to help the Crows to a 10-point win.

Following the game, Murphy told AFC Media it was a memorable experience.

"You have to pinch yourself a little bit,” he said. 

“Just two years ago I was playing at the Northern Knights and now, in the blink of an eye, I'm running next to Nat Fyfe, Bryce Gibbs and Tommy Lynch.

"Going out there and seeing all the people in Crows colours and knowing I'm a Crows player. It was a surreal sort of feeling when the crowd is going and you kick a goal.”

The message from the coaching staff to Murphy ahead of Sunday’s game was simple. 

See ball, get ball.

It was a role he filled with aplomb, not only attacking the football with ferocity but putting manic pressure on the opposition ball handler at every opportunity.

The grounded teenager admits he still has areas for improvement but is doing everything in his power to soak up information like a sponge every single day.

“They’ve given me a license when I see the ball, to go and get it and use my weapons. So if I see the ball, I'll do whatever I can to go and get it,” Murphy said.

“Luckily today it fell in my lap, it was good.

“I want to get a bit fitter and understand the strategies and the fundamentals. Get up the ground and working back. When you're working with Eddie Betts at training it makes it a little bit easier. Just working on my forward craft and getting to the fall of the ball.”


Murphy (#44) celebrates a goal with Cam Ellis-Yolmen

Betts, a three-time All Australian small forward, isn’t the only one providing guidance.

A raft of senior Crows push Murphy to get the best out of himself every chance they get, highlighting the strength of team-first mentality at West Lakes. 

"Richard Douglas, he's a massive one for me. Whatever he does, I try and do. Whenever there's time for extras or extra vision, he's the first one to come and ask me,” Murphy said.

“Eddie on the field is phenomenal. Lynch, JJ, ‘Tex’, just the instructions at training just makes it so much easier for me.”

In the rooms at Strathalbyn, Betts was full of praise for his fellow small forward. He declared Murphy would push himself into the frame for senior selection if he can continue his form. 

"He was great today, wasn't he?,” he said.

"It was fantastic. As a small forward, getting up, getting back, racing back, kicking goals, putting pressure on. It's what a small forward does.

"If he keeps going like that he'll be up there with us. Putting pressure on the whole season.” 

Coach Don Pyke echoed those thoughts in his post-match press conference.

“Today he showed he’s capable of playing at the level, which is all he can do. He brought a real energy and spark to our forward half so it was a good day for ‘Murph’,” Pyke said. 

“If he continues to play like that, he’s going to give himself every chance (of being in round one calculations).” 

Where Lachlan Murphy will be this time next year is anyone’s guess.

One thing that is certain, though, is the 19-year-old will pour his entire heart and soul into it, leaving nothing to chance.

“I'll just do what I can do and attack each session with everything I've got,” Murphy said.

“Hopefully if a chance cracks open early I'm sure I'll take it with both hands.”