Crows young gun Brayden Cook talks improvement and locking down a senior team place

Adelaide called Brayden Cook “raw” when he was drafted back in 2020. The man himself says he was shocked how far off he was when he came to the Crows. Now, that’s all changed.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 02: Brayden Cook of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 08 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval on May 02, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The word Adelaide used when drafting Brayden Cook in 2020 was “raw”.

Over three-years since the Crows traded up to select him, the South Adelaide product has another word for how it was when he first rocked up to West Lakes.

“I was shocked when I first came into the club,” he told this masthead.

“I was so far behind.”

But while he started a fair way back, the Crows new “connector” is finding his place in the Adelaide side.

The Crows aren’t even at the halfway point of their season, but the 21-year-old has already equalled his most AFL games in a year.

He is starting to play his best footy so far as well, even after being out of the Crows side to start the season.

“I knew my time would come so just to have a bit of patience, I had worked really hard in pre-season so it was about just waiting for the coaches to give me a chance,” he said.

In Hobart against North Melbourne in Round 7 he kicked three goals and had 15 disposals.

Cook has locked down a place in Adelaide’s senior side. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

On Sunday against West Coast he helped get the Crows on their way to a big win over the Eagles with two goals and a lovely goal assist, showing the talent that has Adelaide senior coach Matthew Nicks excited about his potential.

“I’m really happy for Cooky,” Nicks said.

“He is a super talented player, especially with ball in hand. He can do some freaky stuff.

“We challenged him around some of the contest stuff that is needed to be at this level and he went to work. He has a pretty good size about him (189cm) so he can compete in the air.”

There was a lot Cook had to work on when he first came to the Crows at the end of 2020.

A big bolter in his draft year, not being able to make South Adelaide’s under-18 side a year earlier Cook didn’t have the traditional pathway of under-16 or under-18 state footy.

But there was something there with his speed and agility, even though he was a bit underdone when he arrived at West Lakes. .

“I want to be respectful to Cooky but he was a young lad, pretty raw, super talented, but he has grown so quickly, he has developed so fast,” Nicks said.

“We knew it could take a bit of time but he has rewarded us.”

Coming off shoulder surgery when drafted was also an impediment for Cook.

“So a lot of rehab, a lot of shoulder work,” he said.

His running also needed work, with Cook relieved he didn’t cop the full brunt of fitness guru Darren Burgess.

The 2020 draftee has improved drastically. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

“I was behind in my running, I came in a bit raw,” he said.

“So I had to go to work and get those pre-seasons under my belt.

“It has been really good having Burgo.

“If he was there when I first came he definitely (been in for some attention from Burgess) would have but I have really improved.”

Adding some size to his tall frame has also helped.

“I came in a little twig,” he said.

“I reckon I was under 80 kilos, now I’m about 88 to 89 so that has given me a lot of confidence.

“A bit of it was fat loss, so I did go backwards a bit before I put on the size.”

This allows Cook to play the “connector” role former Crows forward Tom Lynch played so well for Adelaide.

And if he ever needs advice the 158-game Crow is always a message away.

“I love that hybrid role, a bit of the old Tom Lynch role a bit of forward, a bit of wing,” he said.

“I could even go deeper, I am really enjoying it.

“Lynchy is always up for a chat, I actually do need to send him a text.”

Originally published as Crows young gun Brayden Cook talks improvement and locking down a senior team place