Adelaide defender Nick Murray has sung the praise of Crows recruit Alex Neal-Bullen, as the side hones in on its pre-season training.
Murray, who signed a three-year-contract extension on Wednesday, said adding Premiership Demon Alex Neal-Bullen into the fold has helped give players a better understanding of what it took to become the best.
The former Melbourne star joined the Crows in October, after the two clubs finalised a trade deal.
“I think you could go through the whole list, to be honest, everyone is bringing their own attributes,” Murray said.
“One (who has impressed) for me is Alex Neal-Bullen.
“He’s been a real leader since coming in, obviously on-field, but also off-field, just the way he speaks is really amazing.
“He spoke yesterday about some of the success he had at Melbourne and nearly every player was in that room.
“He spoke about where they (Melbourne) were and where they got to and all the boys’ ears perked up when they heard that.”
Murray, meanwhile, is set to enter his fifth AFL campaign at West Lakes, after being recruited as a pre-season supplemental selection from NSW in January, 2021.
He made his AFL debut in Round Two of that season and has since cemented his spot in Adelaide’s defensive cog, playing 55 games so far.
The 23-year-old’s contract extension comes off the back of hard work and resilience, and follows his recovery from a knee reconstruction in 2023.
“I’m very excited. For the Club to put that trust in me, it’s now my time to repay the faith,” Murray said.
“I am really looking forward to what the next four years will bring and hopefully I can put my best foot forward and get back to playing my best footy after the knee.
“I think going from my first year when I might not have been ready to play AFL, I was sort of just thrown in there, but just in terms of physically and mentally, it’s (my development) been massive.
“I am a completely different person to what I was to where I am now, so I can’t thank the Club enough.”
The 2025 AFL season will, however, have a different look for Murray, who will don a new number on the back of his guernsey, after taking the No.9 from recently retired former Skipper Rory Sloane.
The duo formed a special bond during Murray’s ACL rehabilitation, and Murray said he was honoured to wear Sloane’s former number.
“Last year, going through that ACL period, rehab can get quite lonely, but I don’t think he (Rory Sloane) missed a session for me,” he said.
“He was there every, every session, he was massive for me.
“For me to be able to wear that number next year holds a special place in my heart.
“It will be pretty hard to live up to the standards he set and what he’s done for this Club but if I can do half of what he’s done, I’d be very proud.”
