Adelaide defender Nick Murray says having to fight for his spot in the AFL side after returning from knee surgery has put him in good stead to attack the pointy end of the season. 

Murray underwent an arthroscope on his reconstructed left knee following the Crows’ Round Seven loss to Fremantle, and was sidelined for six weeks. 

But with the AFL team’s defence performing strongly in his absence, Murray was forced to bide his time at State League level, suiting up in four SANFL matches before earning a recall for the Crows’ Round 19 match against Gold Coast. 

Speaking to the media on Monday, Murray explained how his stint in the SANFL turned into a positive as he continued to get continuity in his game. 

“I think it just shows where this group is at to be honest,” Murray said. 

“I would have liked to have come straight back in, but my last 18-to-24 months has been pretty stop-start, I don’t think I’d had more than a seven-game streak of games played. 

“So that time in the SANFL was really good for me to get some confidence back in my knee, and to come back to AFL level, I’ve been pleased with how I’m playing. 

“It was a difficult little period, but I think it just shows where the group is at, and it’s helped me in the long run.” 

Murray forms part of a defensive group which is ranked second in points against, and has gone from strength-to-strength as the season progressed. 

The mastermind behind the Crows’ improvement this year has been second-year backline coach Jack Hombsch, whose calming presence has helped the group reach new heights in 2025. 

“He is very similar to Nicksy in a way, he’s got the calmness in how he operates and I think that rubs off on the rest of us defenders,” Murray said. 

“Coming in as a very young backline coach last year, everyone has connected with him really well and he’s done a great job in developing us as both players and people. 

“He’s going to do great things for this group going forward.” 

Murray and his Crows teammates will be out to make it seven wins on the trot this weekend, as they travel to Perth to face West Coast. 

The defender said the Eagles always presented a tough assignment at home, and Adelaide would need to be at its best to come away with the four points.  

“I think they are still going to be tough over there in the west, travelling over there is never easy,” Murray said. 

“Obviously they’ve still got some good players and will want to finish off the year strongly, so it will be a good test for us this weekend.”

Adelaide faces West Coast at Optus Stadium this Sunday afternoon, with the first bounce at 4.40pm (ACST).