Key defender Daniel Talia dares to believe after Crows tick every box in AFL pre-season

After a successful return from a knee injury, All Australian Daniel Talia feels like the Crows are on an upward curve after winning both of their practice matches.

Daniel Talia seeks to spoil GWS forward Jeremy Cameron in Canberra on Friday night. Picture: Lukas Coch/AAP

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Dual All Australian key defender Daniel Talia is sensing there is a hint of 2017 about the Crows with renewed rebound coming out of the backline.

Talia, who played his first competitive game after recovering from knee surgery, said there was a vastly different level of confidence within the Crows than last year.

Much of it could be seen in a more attacking style of play, beginning with the backline and cemented by a midfield led by co-captain Rory Sloane and the Crouch brothers, Matt and Brad.

Daniel Talia takes a break during pre-season training. Picture: Sarah Reed

Brad Crouch shone after a year on the outer with injury, tallying 31 disposals.

“He played well and is looking really fit, which is amazing for him,” Talia said. “He’s got his body back in shape and doing really well.

“We love having him back in the midfield with Matty and the two of them working together are looking really strong.

“And Sloaney’s form during the pre-season has been really great as well.

“We’ve been looking good through there.

“Winning the two games in the pre-season is exactly what you want to do and we’ve got a fit and healthy list.

“And there were a couple of younger guys really performing well.

“Chayce Jones and a couple of young guys … everybody performed well.”

One reminder of 2017 was Brodie Smith, who adds run and a raking kick from the grand final year after missing most of last year to knee surgery.

His style was part of what could bring the Crows back when they were the dominant side for the league only to fall short against Richmond in the grand final.

“We’ve had to make a few adjustments — the game is a bit quicker now,” Talia said. “But I think we’ve steadied up our defence; we’ve got a bit more shape back there.

“That’s allowed us to defend the ball a bit better but as well as that we want to get back to our offensive game of 2017, when we moved the ball with speed.

“Obviously having Brodie Smith back (from a knee reconstruction) and Rory Laird and

Wayne Milera off a half back allows us to rebound pretty well.”

Talia played a typically dependable game in his first game back from knee surgery, having had a limited training program over summer.

But he did his bit and looked like he was ready for the season to begin.

“I was nervous; I haven’t done that much during the pre-season,” Talia said. “But I got through OK and was happy just to get through and make an impact early on.”

Coach Don Pyke was taken by the form of Brad Crouch and No. 9 draft pick Chayce Jones and said he has some close decisions to make as he and the match committee consider selection for the club’s first match of the season.

“He’s travelling really well,” Pyke said of Crouch. “We know the quality that Brad was and he was disappointed at not being able to play any footy at all last year.

“It’s just great to see him out there.

“For us, the expectation on Brad is just keep your fingers crossed for his continuity.

“Pleased to see him play.

“We know how he can play and he took another step forward.”

Another player to catch the eye was Chayce Jones, the club’s first draft pick in last year’s national draft at No. 9 overall.

He added good defensive intensity and kicked a couple of goals.

“He did some really nice things in the pressure stakes,” Pyke said. “He’s a young man coming in and we thought we’d give him an opportunity and see what that looks like for Round 1.

“He certainly didn’t do any harm tonight with some of his efforts around there (the contest). He didn’t generate a lot of the ball but he certainly played the role we’re looking for.

“He’s got a bright future, I think.”

Adelaide begins its season with a twilight game against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on March 23.

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