Adelaide defender Nick Murray says adding gymnastics to his training routine is helping him feel more confident in his body ahead of the Crows’ upcoming AFL season.

Murray endured a tough 2025, having lined up in the first two games, before jarring the knee he had reconstructed the year prior, and that kept him on the sidelines for another month.

Just two games into his return, Murray’s knee began giving way again and sidelined him until Round 19.

Speaking at Stirling North Primary School on day one of the Crows’ community camp, Murray said last year took a heavy toll on him mentally, and he had focused on getting his body in the best shape this pre-season so he could attack 2026 with confidence.

“The surgery itself wasn’t that significant, but the fact that it was probably a repeat injury, and the communication with the surgeon beforehand saying ‘we might go into your knee, and it might be ruptured’,” Murray said.

“I didn’t realise the effect that had on me mentally. Obviously last year it was hard coming back from surgery and having times where I would just be stepping off and my knee would collapse and I think those are the things that spiralled through my mind.

“I’ve added in some gymnastics (into training) at the moment and done a heap of strength work on my knee so I am in a really confident space. 

“It’s really basic stuff, jumping and landing - a lot of my repeat incidents was when I was landing with a straight leg and that was putting a lot of tension through that ACL. I’ve just been sort of trying to re-train the brain when I am landing, just landing with that softer leg.”

Murray is set to begin his fifth season with the Crows after joining the list via the AFL’s pre-season supplemental selection period in 2021.

He was elevated to the senior list ahead of the 2024 season, and became a mainstay in the Crows defensive line-up before injuries struck.

Hailing from the Riverina town of Henty in NSW, Murray said connecting with fans in regional communities meant a great deal to him, as players travelled north to Port Augusta, Port Pirie and Whyalla as part of the club’s community camp.

“I got amongst the kids and had a kick of the footy, it’s been good fun,” Murray said.

“We didn’t have as much exposure (to AFL players) where I was from, obviously the Crows do such a good thing here in SA, they always try to come out to the community, which is great.

“I still remember when I was a little kid and I had the Swans people come in, and just the impact it had on me. If we can have a similar impact, then hopefully those kids can hold those memories all throughout their childhood.

“For us to come out and be amongst the kids, it feels like they really appreciate it. Coming from a country town, it’s something that I hold dearly.”

The Crows’ community camp will culminate with an internal trial at Central Oval, Port Augusta, on Friday afternoon, and Murray said it would give players another opportunity to fine-tune ahead of a practise match against Port Adelaide next week.

“We have our little goals and things we want to hit throughout the week, so (we’re) just trying to nail them and fine-tune coming into (the game against) Port,” Murray said.

“It won’t change too much. I think we are all getting pretty sick of playing against each other.

“It’s a different venue, a different ground, and it will be pretty cool to get amongst the Port Augusta community, and I’m sure they will enjoy us being down here.”

The internal trial will start at 4pm and will be live streamed on the Club’s website and App.