New Adelaide rookie Nick Murray says the heartache of being overlooked in three AFL drafts guarantees he won't take his career for granted.
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The Henty product was added to the Crows' list as a rookie on Sunday afternoon, following the club's pre-season game against Port Adelaide.
It's part of the AFL's pre-season supplemental selection period, which closes Tuesday.
"After the game in the post-match review, (coach Matthew Nicks) pulled the piece of paper out of his pocket and said, 'we've got a special announcement' and all the boys got around me, so it was great," Murray offered.
Murray was first eligible for the draft as a 17-year-old in 2018, but was dogged by injuries, including a broken ankle for the Murray Bushrangers, which also ruled him out of Wodonga Raiders' preliminary final against Wangaratta.
He then nominated Wangaratta Rovers as his second club and played seven games in 2019, along with eight in GWS's reserves.
He was even flown to the Crows for a medical, but didn't make the cut.
Last year was a writeoff, due to COVID wiping out the VFL, where Murray was aligned with Williamstown, so he played with junior club Ganmain Grong Grong Matong in the AFL Riverina Championship, shattering his left collarbone in the semi-final win.
"Obviously it's very disappointing (not to get drafted), but you've just got to keep working hard and know that you're good enough," he explained.
Those hopes received a lifeline from the Crows and he moved to Adelaide on New Year's Eve.
"They said you've got an opportunity to come and train with us and hope for a spot," he revealed.
The Crows had one position available and Murray's elevation is the result of more than a decade of dreaming and hard work.
"It's something I've wanted since I was a kid and missing out on a few drafts made me appreciate it a little more and coming from working (as a farmer in Yerong Creek) and not straight into the system, I'll never be complacent," he explained.
In just two months in Adelaide, the 194cm defender has already added six kilograms and is now 97.
"I came over at 91 and needed a bit more weight as the average size for a key defender in the AFL is 98-plus," he said.
"I've been working on knowing where the dangerous space is and then in attack, being able to intercept and help team-mates."
Murray will now be hoping he's selected for the Crows' season opener against Geelong on Saturday week.
"My goal is to play multiples games," he admitted.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Murray had special praise for Rovers' co-coach Daryn Cresswell, along with the club itself and Henty.
Older brother Sam played 13 games for Collingwood in a two-year stint.
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"He wasn't the best trainer (laughs), but he's always said take it with both hands because the opportunity doesn't come around every day."