Talia played every game in the home and away season. But in a cruel blow sustained a broken arm in the Qualifying Final against Sydney - less than a week after being crowned the 2012 NAB Rising Star.
The 21-year-old missed the finals against Fremantle and Hawthorn, but said he planned to make a desperate bid to play in the decider if Adelaide had overcome the Hawks in the Preliminary Final.
“Sando (coach Brenton Sanderson), Dr Potter and I had spoken about the possibility of me playing in the Grand Final if we made it,” said Talia, who still had his arm in plaster at the Crows Club Champion presentation on Friday night.
“I kept it under the radar, and whether I would’ve been able to get up for it or not I’m not sure but I would’ve tried.”
Talia was forced from the ground in the last quarter against the Swans after landing arms outstretched on the boundary line. However, the injury actually occurred in the previous play.
“I broke my arm about a minute before I fell to the ground and had to come off,” Talia said.
“There was a contest in the goal square. I went to take off and hit my arm on Mitch Morton’s knee. The contact broke my arm … it was just unlucky. I knew I’d broken it, but the adrenalin got me through for another minute until I fell.”
At the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday night, Talia became the inaugural recipient of the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy.
The trophy was coined in memory of long-serving Crows doctor and Life Member Dr Brian Sando, who passed away in August following a battle with illness. It recognises outstanding and professional attention to detail in the standard of preparation for being an AFL footballer.
Talia has earned a reputation as one of the most professional players ever to step foot at West Lakes since being selected by Adelaide with pick No.13 in the 2009 AFL National Draft.
The former Assumption College student overcame knee and Achilles injuries in his first 18 months at the Crows to make his debut against Sydney in Round 15 last season. He played a total of nine games in 2011.
He displayed maturity and poise beyond his experience in 2012, stepping up in the absence of departed centre half-backs Phil Davis (GWS) and Nathan Bock (Gold Coast).
Talia established himself as one of the premier backmen in the competition, regularly standing and beating the opposition’s best forward.
He conceded an average of only one goal a game in his 23 matches and was recognised for his brilliant season, receiving the prestigious NAB Rising Star award.
“I set pretty high expectations for myself at the start of the year, but I’ve still been very pleased with my year,” Talia said.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on a finals campaign, Talia’s attitude to his rehabilitation and demeanour around his teammates was exemplary, in keeping with the criteria of the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy.
Talia’s standout season was also acknowledged by the Crows coaches, who awarded him 66 votes to see him finish in 10th place in the 2012 Club Champion award.
