Club Champion Daniel Talia says he’s already taken draftee defenders Jake Lever and Keenan Ramsey under his wing.

The newest member of Adelaide’s six-man leadership group, Talia said he’s been impressed with the attitude of the young pair during their first days as Crows.

“I’ve met both of those guys and they seem like really good fellas,” Talia said on radio station FIVEaa.

“They’ve both come in really enthusiastic and have been asking me a lot of questions already.

“I know when I was young I was doing the same thing with ‘Truck’. That’s one way to learn and improve quickly.

“They’ve really impressed me.”

Lever, 18, was Adelaide’s first selection at last month’s National Draft meet on the Gold Coast.

Initially touted as a potential top-five prospect, the 193cm defender slipped to Adelaide’s pick No.14 after suffering an ACL injury during a training session with the AIS-AFL Academy squad 12 months ago.

Port Lincoln tall Keenan Ramsey joined the Club with pick No.27 in this year’s Rookie Draft.

South Australia’s chief defender in this year’s Under-18 National Championships, Ramsey also showed his versatility at October’s AFL Draft Combine by notching a perfect score in the goalkicking drill at Etihad Stadium.

Talia said he was particularly eager to help fellow Victorian Lever, who has been likened to the 2014 All Australian for his competitiveness and aerial ability.

“Jake Lever is another Calder Cannons boy and I’ve seen a couple of his clips,” Talia said.

“He looks like a really exciting player.”

But Talia said action, rather than talk, remains the best way for the team to move forward.

“I want to lead by example and I think that’s the best way to do it.”

“I’m one of those guys in that age bracket who has a good relationship with the older blokes and the younger guys.

“That’s my role.”

The players have embraced their first pre-season campaign under new coach Phil Walsh.

Barely a week into summer and the group looks fighting fit as the brief Christmas break approaches.

Talia said the early signs were positive, with many of Adelaide’s younger talents leading the way on the track.

“Brad Crouch has been a standout early on and Sammy Kerridge is always good on the track,” he said.

“Josh Jenkins has come back in really good nick and is training the house down. Kyle Hartigan has also been really impressive and is running like a midfielder.

There is no substitute for experience however, and Talia said the return of Nathan van Berlo to full training has had a notable impact.

“Having VB back out there has been a real lift for the group,” he said.

“He’s the spirit of the team and drives the standards out on the track.

“It’s freshened everyone up having him out there.”