Fewer than 24 hours after touring Adelaide’s training facility, Troy Menzel became a Crow.
Menzel, 21, cut short a holiday in Bali with friends when his name was floated in trade talks.
The former Carlton forward visited West Lakes on Tuesday, meeting with coach Don Pyke and players Taylor Walker and Nathan van Berlo among other Club representatives.
Menzel liked what he saw and heard, and by lunchtime on Wednesday the paperwork had been lodged to send the left-footer to the Crows in exchange for midfielder Sam Kerridge and pick No.28.
“It’s been a very hectic, but exciting couple of days,” Menzel said on Wednesday.
“I got back from Bali on Monday night, came into the Club on Tuesday to do a bit of a tour of the Club and a medical. I was very impressed, going through the Club, seeing the facilities and sitting down with a couple of the boys, the coach and the medical staff.
“It’s very exciting, being able to come back to my hometown of Adelaide.
"It’ll be good to get in there and get started at the Crows.”
Menzel, who was selected with pick No.11 in the 2012 National Draft, returns to South Australia after three seasons with the Blues.
Troy is the youngest of six brothers; Adam, Matt, Chris, Sam and Daniel, who plays for Geelong.
The family was Crows mad prior to Daniel and Troy being drafted by AFL clubs.
Troy said he’d learned a lot from his time at Carlton, and being away from family and friends.
“My brothers are big Crows fans, so they’re all pumped for me to play for the Crows,” Troy said.
“I think Mum (Cathy) is pretty rapt to see me come home as well.”
“It was definitely a big change, leaving Adelaide and going to Melbourne for a few years. I really enjoyed my three years at the Blues.
“I learned about the hard work that you have to put in, the work ethic and dedication you’ve got to have if you want to play AFL football.”
Recruited from SANFL club Central District, Menzel kicked 47 goals in 40 games for Carlton, including 26 in a breakout 2014 season.
The crafty forward booted a career-high four goals against the Cats in Round Eight this year, but struggled for fitness and consistency and was limited to a total of 15 games.
“I didn’t have the year I was hoping to have,” he said.
“Coming off a pretty good 2014, I was really hoping to build on that but unfortunately I was struck down with a couple of niggles and injuries here and there, and wasn’t playing great footy.
“I’m looking to put that all behind me and start fresh this pre-season.”
Menzel underwent minor hip surgery at the end of the season, which is not expected to interfere with his first summer as a Crow.
The quick and agile, 187cm, 85kg, goalkicker wants to improve his aerobic endurance, which he hopes will enable him to play further up the ground.
“I’d love to play in the midfield. That’s where I played all my junior footy and where I enjoy playing the most, but I know I’ve got a lot of work to do if I want to get there,” he said.
“I’ve got to have a really solid pre-season and if I want to play in the midfield, but that’s what I’m aiming at.”
