Adelaide Crows 2021: Latest news, updates, previews ahead of Round 5

Lachie Sholl’s fine game against North Melbourne has seen the emerging Adelaide star join an exclusive club in the AFL.

Lachlan Sholl kicks the Crows into attack. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Lachie Sholl is now a member of an exclusive list in footy.

The silky-smooth Adelaide wingman’s starring role in the Crows win over North Melbourne on Sunday has earned him a second rising star nomination in two years – the 12th player to achieve the feat and the first in nearly three years.

“That’s kind of cool to hear,” he said upon learning the fact.

“But I certainly don’t go out trying to get those nominations, us outside players are really a by-product of how the team is going and it was really good for us to get that win.”

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The 21-year-old was controversially snubbed for a nomination in Round 17, 2020, before it was rectified in the eyes of his teammates the following week following a strong end to the season for the Calder Cannons product after Rory Atkins’ decision to leave the club early gave him a spot in the side.

But there was no denying Sholl of another nomination after his efforts over the weekend, as he finished with 31 disposals, 596m gained and a crucial goal.

Lachlan Sholl couldn’t be stopped against North Melbourne. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

This also involved a despairing tackle to nab Kangaroos midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke in the fourth quarter, which drew praise from North Melbourne legend David King.

“I was hanging on, he was gone as well if he didn’t bounce it, he was off to the races,” Sholl said.

“I was counting my lucky stars that he took a bounce and I had my hands on his hips.”

Sholl was one of a number of Crows players who stayed in Adelaide over the off-season and worked on his fitness with teammates.

It looks to have paid off, with the Crows now able to run out games according to senior coach Matthew Nicks.

“To have that, and have that extra bit of confidence knowing that we have done the work, can give us a bit of an advantage,” Sholl said.

The Crows have now already won the same amount of games as they managed for their entire 2020 campaign.

Sholl said they needed to make sure the solid start to the season doesn’t deviate from their plans for 2021.

“In terms of expectations, nothing changes; it’s very much sticking to what we know and working hard at our game, and hopefully the rest will work itself out,” he said.

“It has been a good start, a solid start, in terms of win-loss and with those wins comes a little bit of belief, but we have to keep working.”

Originally published as Adelaide Crows 2021: Latest news, updates, previews ahead of Round 5