Cam Ellis-Yolmen says teammate Sam Kerridge has played a key role in his breakout season.

Limited to one AFL game as the substitute in three years at Adelaide, Ellis-Yolmen realised he was running out of time to prove himself. In a reflection of his growing maturity, he sought Kerridge’s help to prepare for his fourth pre-season.

“It’s the last year of my contract. I really want to pull my finger out and play some games this year to get a spot in the team and get another contract,” Ellis-Yolmen said.

“So, Sammy Kerridge and I did our offseason program together, all the running. I thought he (Kerridge) would be the best person to do it with because he’s the fittest person at our Club at the moment. He won our time trial in the pre-season and he’s just been a great help. He assisted me through the two-kilometre time trial and (showed me) what he eats. He’s got the best rig as well!

“Sammy’s got me in tip-top shape. It’s been great working with him, and helping each other out.”

Ellis-Yolmen, 22, made improvements in his fitness last pre-season, and took it to another level over the summer. He posted personal bests in all of his aerobic testing.

“I had a really strong pre-season. I did nearly every session and it’s given me heaps of confidence,” Ellis-Yolmen said.

“Every pre-season, I’ve made my two-kilometre time trial faster. I beat last years’ time by 10 seconds this pre-season. I’ve got it (my fitness) to a level that our midfield coach, ‘Campo’ (Scott Camporeale) … and the fitness staff are happy.

“It’s helped me heaps in the third and fourth quarters of games. I feel much stronger and am running out games better.”

Ellis-Yolmen’s strong pre-season saw him earn an opportunity in the NAB Challenge.

The strong-bodied midfielder impressed in all three games, winning more contested possessions than any other player in the pre-season competition.

Ellis-Yolmen said the NAB Challenge, couple with his small taste of AFL against Fremantle at Domain Stadium last season gave him belief he could compete at the level.

“It was great to play those three NAB Challenge games this year. I took a lot of confidence out of them. I felt like I could play and be comfortable there,” he said.

“(In my one AFL game last year) I saw the change in the speed of the game from SANFL to AFL. Everything is faster. You have less time to hold the ball and make decisions, so you’ve just got to be that much quicker.”

Ellis-Yolmen did enough to command a spot in Adelaide’s Round One team to play North Melbourne.

In five games this season, the 189cm, 89kg, onballer has averaged 20 possessions (11.6 contested), six clearances and five tackles. In a testament to his improved defensive skills, the Flinders Park product laid a team-high 10 tackles against Port Adelaide in Round Five.

He’s also learning from a couple of the best midfielders in the game.

“Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield have been really good with their voice and instruction at training and on game day,” Ellis-Yolmen said.

“Andrew McLeod has helped me out a lot too, just how good he is with his fitness and weights. It’s been good to learn from him as well. There have been a couple of (gym) sessions in his backyard, which have been good.”

A minor hamstring injury has put a temporary halt to Ellis-Yolmen’s promising season.

He aims to return in a couple of weeks and help contribute to more Crows wins.

“Walshy (coach Phil Walsh) always says, ‘Don’t worry about how you’re going, just keep doing your role for the team … and do everything you can to help the team win and you should be right. The game will take care of itself’.”