Kyle Cheney won plenty of admirers for his efforts in Hawthorn’s depleted backline this season.

Cheney, 25, was asked to hold down the key defensive post in the opening nine rounds, as the Hawks tried to cope with the absence of premiership player and Norm Smith medallist Brian Lake and also mainstays Ben Stratton and Ryan Schoenmakers.

Despite giving away up to 10 centimetres and 15 kilograms to his opponents, Cheney embraced the challenge of standing some of the best forwards in the competition, including Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins, Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich and Essendon swingman Jake Carlisle.

“I had some fairly heavy opponents at some stages. But any opportunity I got to play at the highest level, I was going to take,” Cheney told afc.com.au.

“When it was an extra challenge playing on someone like Tom Hawkins, I wasn’t in a position to whinge about what role I was given, so I just went in happy with the opportunity and did my best.”

At 187cm and 90kg, Cheney is better suited to playing as a third tall defender.

“Ideally, I’d be on the second or third tall forward not so much one-out in the goal square with someone who’s got 30 kilograms on me – that’s not ideal!” he said with a laugh.

“I can play a bit taller than what I stand but probably not that much.”

Cheney and fellow recruit Luke Lowden became Crows in the final few minutes ofthe trade period last month.

The Crows targeted Cheney following injuries to Andy Otten (knee) and Sam Shaw (hamstring), and the departures of veteran full-back Ben Rutten and young tall Luke Thompson.

Cheney, who was originally recruited by Melbourne with pick No.53 in the 2007 AFL National Draft, hopes the move to his third AFL club will deliver the opportunity he’s craved during his stop-start 41-game career.

“I played the nine games this year, pretty much whenever Brian Lake was injured or suspended. I’d come in and play that sort of role but as soon as Brian came back, regardless of form, I’d get pushed out of the side,” Cheney said.

“I was looking for opportunities and when Adelaide expressed an interest in me, I came over and had a look through the facilities and it was all systems go from there.

“I just want to play the best footy I can at the highest level. I first got drafted to Melbourne, but similar to Hawthorn had a lack of opportunities. At the Hawks, I came into a side in a pretty rich vein of form and was just nudged out by some pretty solid players and team form.

“I just want to play AFL footy as often as I can and get exposure at the level. Hopefully, that will eventuate at Adelaide.”

Despite the vacant spot in the Adelaide backline, Cheney isn’t looking that far ahead.

The competitive defender’s focus is on getting to know his new teammates when he and Lowden join the full group for pre-season training on Monday.

“At the moment, I’m just looking forward to getting to Adelaide and starting pre-season with the boys. It’s a bit cliché, but I want to earn the respect of the fellas through hard work,” he said.

“Everyone’s goal at the start of the year is to play Round One, but we’ll see how that goes after what will be a pretty solid pre-season by the sounds.”

Nicknamed ‘Fetta’, Cheney (pronounced 'Chee-nee') is also hopeful the youthful nature of Adelaide’s defensive group will also encourage his leadership skills.

“It’s probably easier to come in and fit into a group that is a little bit younger. When I came in and played in the backline at Hawthorn, I was with very experienced players like Josh Gibson … guys who were more advanced than what I had to offer, so I just took a back seat,” he said.

“With a younger group at Adelaide, I feel like I can come in and develop my leadership skills with guys in a similar age group.”

A popular and respected player at Hawthorn, Cheney’s selfless attitude struck a chord with new Crows coach Phil Walsh. Walsh met Cheney prior to joining the Club in the trade period.

“In the meetings we had, Phil was pretty firm on respecting the team first and being a team player. That is one of my strongest assets,” Cheney said.

“I’ll always keep my head up regardless of the situation or the opponent. I’ll keep fighting and try to do my best for the team.”

Cheney has also met with a couple of his new teammates.

Jack Gunston introduced Cheney to a few of his ex-Crow teammates to help the 2013 Box Hill best and fairest winner’s transition to Adelaide.

“I had a coffee with Taylor Walker and I also spent some time with Ricky Henderson when he was over in Melbourne for a couple of days,” Cheney said.

“It’s good I’ll have a couple of familiar faces when I get there and Luke coming over as well will make it easier.”