Nick Murray signs three-year contract extension, latest Crows training notes

Wearing Rory Sloane’s old number, Nick Murray is fit and firing as he attacks his first pre-season in two years with a new contract extension. Get the latest from the Crows’ training here.

Adelaide key defender Nick Murray has trimmed down as he attacks his first full pre-season in two years wearing club great Rory Sloane’s old number and with a new contract extension.

Sidelined last summer while recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered the previous July, Murray formed a close bond in the rehabilitation group with Sloane.

The Crows handed the retired Sloane’s No. 9 jumper to Murray last week.

On Wednesday, the club rewarded the 23-year-old backman with a contract extension until the end of 2028.

“Rehab can get quite lonely and I don’t think Sloaney missed a session for me,” Murray said of the 255-game former Crows captain.

Nick Murray has signed a contract extension. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty. Images.

“He was there every rep … and I was bouncing ideas off him.

“He was massive for me so for me to be able to wear that number next year, it obviously holds a special place in my heart.

“It’ll be pretty hard to live up to the standards that he’s 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.”

Murray returned from his knee injury in round 14 against Sydney, before playing another eight matches, taking his career tally to 55.

He did not play as well as he had hoped coming off his ACL but was feeling fresh, returning to pre-season fresh and leaner after break.

“I probably came back a little bit too heavy last year but I’ve been able to trim down this off-season, get down to that 99kg or 100kg,” he said.

Murray says staying at the Crows was a no-brainer. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Adelaide recruited Murray from the Riverina league in New South Wales – he played mainly as a forward for Ganmain Grong Grong Matong – during the supplemental selection period in 2021.

Now, he is settled in Adelaide, has his younger brother Toby with him at the Crows and co-owns a farm in Hartley with ex-teammate Ned McHenry.

It made the decision to sign a three-year extension “a no-brainer”.

“I’ve got my whole life here now,” Murray said.

Crows list boss Justin Reid said Murray was an example of hard work paying off.

“Nick’s competitiveness stood out from day one but over the past four seasons his physical preparation, skill level and understanding of the game has gone to a new level,” Reid said.

“At only 23 we know there is a lot more to come so we are excited to have him recommit to the club to 2028.”

TRAINING NOTES

■ Ask Nick Murray to name the Crow impressing him most this pre-season and he singles out one of the club’s recruits – Alex Neal-Bullen. Neal-Bullen, who won Adelaide’s 2km time trial when players returned to training earlier this month, was proving just as influential off the field. The half-forward, who was part of teams that finished 13th, 11th, ninth, fourth, 17th and ninth at Melbourne before playing in the Demons’ drought-breaking 2021 flag, was the only premiership winner in the Crows’ squad. “He spoke yesterday about some of the success he had at Melbourne,” Murray said. “He speaks about where they were and obviously where they got to, and I think all the boys’ ears pricked up when they heard that. He’s been a real leader since coming in, obviously on-field but also off field with the way he speaks.”

New recruit Alex Neal-Bullen. Picture: Dean Martin

■ Adelaide hard nut Luke Pedlar left the track early on Wednesday with hamstring tightness. Pedlar played just four AFL matches last season before a shoulder injury ended his campaign.

■ Crows tall forward Riley Thilthorpe was still nursing back soreness so had a quiet day on Wednesday. Thilthorpe, who missed the first half of the season due to a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, did not take part in the time trial last week but trained on Monday.

■ Key defender Jordon Butts remains in the rehabilitation group after off-season foot surgery, while halfback Mitch Hinge is managing a groin issue and not going full tilt.

■ Draftees Sid Draper and Tyler Welsh continue to be eased in to the mix.