In-form defender Andy Otten says he never lost faith in his ability despite three injury-interrupted seasons.
Otten announced himself on the AFL stage in 2009, playing all 24 games and finishing runner-up to Brisbane Lions midfielder Daniel Rich in the NAB Rising Star award. But a series of injuries – including a season-ending knee reconstruction in pre-season 2010 – limited him to only 21 games in the next three years.
Determined to reclaim his spot in defence this season, the 23-year-old shed three kilograms over the summer with the aim of improving his speed, agility and repeat efforts. He earned a spot in the team to play Essendon in Round One and hasn’t looked back, reminding everyone why he was considered one of the most promising young players in the competition four years ago.
As a third-tall in defence, Otten has claimed the scalps of Bombers forward Stewart Crameri and experienced Bulldog Daniel Giansiracusa, who was substituted after only five disposals on Sunday.
Against the Dogs, he also gathered 25 possessions – his best return since the breakout ‘09’ season. He also recorded a team-high number of ‘one-percenters’ (eight), reflective of his spoils, smothers and shepherds in the match.
“I’ve always had that confidence in myself. I just needed to bring it out and put it into an AFL game,” Otten told afc.com.au after the game.
“I want to keep building. I’ve still got things to work on, but I think we were great as a back six today.
“We’re all starting to work really well together.”
Otten was part of a new-look defence at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
Promoted rookie Rory Laird impressed on debut at half-back, while second-year Crow Luke Brown kept dangerous Dogs forward Luke Dalhaus goalless and also launched numerous counterattacks.
All up, the Crows, who kept the Bulldogs goalless in the second and third quarters, conceded only 4.4 for the game.
“There were a couple of new faces back there. We were rapt that Rory Laird was in the team,” Otten said.
“I’ve watched him play in the SANFL a couple of times; he’s just head over the ball and reads it really well. He’s going to be a great player for us and we knew what we were going to get from him today.
“As defenders, we love it when the game is played in our half of the ground. The forwards were putting on unbelievable pressure, Pup (Jared Petrenko), Tom Lynch and Matty Wright – all those blokes and our mids were really good.
“It’s easier for us as defenders when the ball is getting bombed in and the opposition are not hitting up targets inside their attacking 50m.”
In slippery conditions conducive to a tough, in-tight contest, Adelaide also laid a Club record 96 tackles.
“We were all hurting from (the loss to Port Adelaide) last week, that’s not the way we want to play. We let the Club and our fans down,” Otten said.
“We really wanted to bounce back today and I think you saw that in our endeavour, especially with some of our tackling. I thought our tackling was ferocious today. We kept at them and the weather helped that today.
“It wasn’t pretty especially early when it was pelting down rain. It made it a game of yardage and we just had to get the ball forward. The game is really simplified in the wet, which I think helped us today.
“We had to be hard at the contest, win the contest and keep our feet, which were probably our themes today.”
The Crows will now aim to win consecutive games for the first time this season when they take on Carlton at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. The Blues recorded their first victory of the year on the weekend, upsetting West Coast at Patersons Stadium.
“It’s a six-day break for us, so we’ll focus on recovery this week. We’re looking forward to getting over to Melbourne, and to travelling and being together.
“We’ll put up a good fight next week. The boys love playing at the MCG. It’s the home of football. I’m a Melbourne boy and grew up going there on weekends, so I can’t wait.”
Join the Club as a 2013 reserved seat member and lock away your place at Adelaide Oval 2014. Visit 19thman.com.au/adelaideoval for more information and to register your interest.
