Newly-crowned Club Champion Daniel Talia has urged his teammates to take greater responsibility and ease the burden on the leaders to propel the Crows into the final eight next season.

On Friday night, Talia edged out acting co-captains Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield to claim the Malcolm Blight Medal in a thrilling count at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

The 22-year-old defender made an impassioned acceptance speech, encouraging the playing group not to waste time in achieving their full potential.

“We need more guys being consistent … too much has been left up to the top six to eight guys; that leadership group has really been carrying the rest of the group,” Talia said.

“It’s about time that a few of us younger boys stepped up to help you out (on and off the field). Young guys like myself and Brodie Smith ... are really passionate about the club but haven’t had as much to say as we probably could.

“We’ve got to work hard over the pre-season. We’ve got so many guys with talent, but I don’t think talent is going to do it. You’ve got to really want it; be determined and give your footy career everything because it’s my fifth year now and we’ve only played finals once.

“It feels like time is flying. We keep talking about how, ‘We’re nearly there, we’re nearly there’ but we need to start being consistent as a group. We need a bit more action rather than words and I know ‘Sando’ has been strong on that.”

Adelaide endured a rollercoaster season, finishing 10^th on the ladder with 11 win and 11 losses.

The Crows had several opportunities to consolidate a spot in the top eight, but failed and are now resigned to being September spectators. Talia said missing out on finals had “soured” the Club Champion presentation.

“The guys really are hurting that we’re not playing in September. We lost a few games where we were in front … and that’s what’s cost us in the end. It’s disappointing and we’re just going to have to find a way of using that next year,” he said.

"I know we've said that the last couple of years but we've got to change something over the pre-season and early next year. We need to get off to a better start than we did this year.”

The Malcolm Blight Medal capped off an individually brilliant season for Talia, who was selected in the All-Australian squad alongside teammates Smith, Eddie Betts and Sam Jacobs.

The 2012 Rising Star conceded an average of only 1.4 goals per game in the inexperienced Adelaide backline and averaged career-high disposals, marks and rebound 50ms.

Despite his standout season, Talia didn’t expect to take home the gold jacket on Friday night.

“I’m a bit speechless. I never actually thought I’d be up here,” he said.

“Being a key defender, not many have won it. I’m genuinely surprised and pretty honoured to be in this position. So many legends have worn this jacket before me.”

Talia thanked defensive coach Darren Milburn and also partner Megan Bennett and her family, whom the Victorian-born backman lived with for more than a year during his transition to Adelaide.

He saved special praise for retiring Crows great and mentor Ben Rutten, who he described as an “absolute inspiration”.

“The amount of help Benny has given me early in my career, I definitely wouldn’t be up here without you,” Talia said.

“I model my game on him. He’s been one of the best defenders of the last 10 years. What he’s been able to do for the young back group this year is a credit to him and I think he’ll be a great coach.”

Talia identified a challenging opening month of the season, which included match-ups against Tom Hawkins, Jay Schulz, Lance Franklin, Nick Riewoldt and Jeremy Cameron, as a reason behind his success in 2014.

“I knew I had five or six really good opponents in the opening rounds, so I really set myself for a big pre-season,” he said.

“I trained as hard as I could over the break and left no stone unturned knowing that if I didn’t start the year off well it wasn’t going to be good for the team. I got a bit of confidence starting the year well on those five players and went from there.

“I’ve got so many things to improve on. Darren Milburn and Ben Rutten are always pushing me to improve. I’ve still got to take more marks and get more of the ball.

“I’m still learning and I’m only 22. I really want to help our leaders out next year and help us take the next step to play finals.”