First-year player Nick Murray has settled into life in Adelaide and at the Crows well.

Moving in with ruckman Reilly O’Brien has helped the defender, who hails from the NSW Riverina, feel at home.

But there’s one thing that has taken Murray, who made his AFL debut with the Crows in Round Two against Sydney, time to get used to.

“It’s been such a good experience,” Murray said.

“I’ve moved in with Reilly O’Brien and his girlfriend (Chloe) and they have been so good for me, cooking, and showing me Adelaide.

“It’s been such a good transition over, I feel like I’ve been here for a couple of years.

“But they have a French bulldog, named Chester and I was a bit sceptical early on, I wasn’t sure about it.

“I’m from the country and it’s usually just kelpies and border collies out there, I had never seen a French bulldog

“But I’ve really warmed up to him.”

The 20-year-old joined the Crows list via the AFL’s pre-season supplementary selection period and is now on the rookie list.

He has since lined up in four AFL matches (with another three as an unused medical substitution) - a far cry from where he was last year playing for Ganmain Grong Grong Matong in the Riverina Football League and working on a family friend’s farm.

Murray said missing out on being drafted to an AFL Club in the ‘traditional’ way has made him appreciate the position he is in now.

“It has been an absolute dream come true and I’m loving life in Adelaide,” Murray said.

“I look back now and as an 18-year-old, I’m not sure I would’ve been ready or if I would’ve known how good of an opportunity I had.

“Working for a few years and seeing my mates be drafted was the main driving factor in wanting to get drafted.

“Now that I’m in, I don’t want to become complacent at all and just keep on working as if it’s my first day.”