Adelaide defender Daniel Talia believes he’s a different player to the one that earned All Australian selection for the first time in 2014.

On Thursday night, Talia received his second All-Australian crown, named at centre half-back of the 2016 team. He was one of three Crows to earn the nod, with Eddie Betts earning back-to-back jackets, and first-timer Rory Sloane bestowed the honour of being named vice-captain.

Two seasons ago, Talia was recognised for being the premier lockdown defender in the competition.

The 24-year-old, who’s conceded an average of only 1.2 goals per game this year, is still among the most difficult players to beat one-on-one, but has added a greater offensive element.

Talia is averaging 16 possessions (up from 10.6 in 2015) and six marks (up from 3.7) this season.

He’s also ranked eighth in the AFL for intercept marks – a statistic the All Australian selectors took into strong consideration when choosing the backline, which features the top-two intercept marking players in the League, Jeremy McGovern of West Coast and Richmond's Alex Rance.

Talia said the best defenders were expected to do more than just defend these days.

“Footy has evolved since 2014 and I’ve kind of evolved with it,” Talia said.

“I think I’ve become a bit more of a team player, looking after other guys, and because of that I’ve probably got a bit more of the ball myself.

“There have been some subtle changes in my game, mainly playing off my man a bit more and going for my marks. Being a bit less lockdown in general.”

The changes have been reflected across the Crows backline.

Under new coach Don Pyke, Adelaide is the third-best intercept marking team in the League and has scored more points from defensive 50m launches than any other side.

“It’s a big credit to (defensive coach) James Podsiadly and ‘Pykey’. They’ve brought in a different system and structure,” Talia said.

“You’ve probably seen all of our defenders’ stats and involvement in games have gone up. It’s something we coached all pre-season and have worked really hard on at training.

“I feel it’s helped me take my game to the next level, and a number of the other backs too.”

Another Crows defender in career-best form is Rory Laird.

Laird, 22, has been nominated but ultimately overlooked in the past two All Australian teams.

Talia expected his teammate to continue putting his name in front of selectors for years to come.

“Lairdy hasn’t even played 100 games yet, so he’s just going to get better and better,” Talia said.

“He’s really backed himself with his attacking side of the game. Along with Brodie Smith across that half-back line, he gives us heaps of drive.”

Adelaide’s current back seven has only one member, Kyle Cheney (27), over the age of 25.

Talia said the group was improving as a collective.

“Kyle Hartigan’s been amazing this year, with the way he’s come into the team and played consistent footy. He’s beaten his opponent regularly and sometimes played on the best forward all day and beaten them,” Talia said.

“Jake Lever in his second year, how good’s he been? He’s getting a lot of the ball and improves with each week. Then we’ve got guys like Luke Brown, Rory Laird and Brodie Smith who are young and continue to get better. Kyle Cheney has been a ripper this year as well.

“We’re a really close group in the back six or seven. I love playing alongside all those guys.”

The Adelaide backline’s next challenge is against the multi-pronged North Melbourne attack.

The Kangaroos could welcome back tall forward Jarrad Waite from injury for next week’s Elimination Final at Adelaide Oval. Talia said the Roos had plenty of match winners in their attacking half.

“They’ve got a lot of tall options and they float through different positions, so you’re never really manned up on the one player,” he said.

“They’re also pretty tough to out-mark, guys like Waite, Ben Brown and Drew Petrie compete really strongly. We’ve taken a lot of marks throughout the year in defensive 50, but we’re going to have to be on our game to do that and stop their tall forwards marking the ball.

“And then there's the small forwards, like Brent Harvey and Lindsay Thomas, who get to the feet of those big guys.”