Adelaide defender Max Michalanney has returned the favour, praising a senior teammate after the veteran publicly lauded the young backman’s rise.
Fresh off signing a four-year contract extension, Michalanney was spoken of glowingly by veteran Taylor Walker, who told Triple M Adelaide Breakfast the young backman was on an exciting trajectory.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Michalanney said Walker’s influence on him and his career progression could not be underestimated.
“Sometimes it’s easier to hear a spray than something so kind like that,” Michalanney said.
“I don’t know what I’ve done to Tex Walker for him to be so nice towards me, but ever since I’ve stepped foot into the Club he’s mentored me and looked after me.
“He’s been an outstanding leader for me, so I definitely owe him a lot and I am super grateful to him for speaking so highly of me.
“But I definitely have to pay him back, I can’t stress enough how much of a good person Tex is and what he’s done for me. Hopefully in the future I can pay it back in some way.”
Michalanney has become a reliable and composed presence in the Crows defence, since becoming Adelaide’s first father-son selection at an AFL Draft when selected at Pick 17 in 2022.
Touted by many, including Walker, as a future leader of the Crows, Michalanney says he is keen to continue working hard on and off the footy field.
“I can tell you what I try to do, I just try to be a good person around the Club, help the boys where I see fit and if they ever need any help, they know they can come to me,” Michalanney, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday on Thursday, said.
“That’s the person I want to be, and then on the field, just let my actions do the talking, standing up in big games where I can, that’s what I aspire to be as a leader, and hopefully the boys can see that.
“I am super excited to be at the Club for an additional four years. I can’t believe how lucky I am to be in this position.
“I was lucky to be a father-son, and growing up a Crows supporter, I always wanted to play for the Crows, but it probably goes past that now that I’m here, the relationships I’ve built and the direction the Club is going in is really exciting and I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”
Adelaide is preparing to take on Fremantle in an AAMI Community Series Match in Mandurah, WA, on Saturday.
It will culminate Adelaide’s pre-season matches ahead of its Round One match against Collingwood at the MCG on March 14.
“It was really good to get a hit-out against Port Adelaide last weekend and Freo coming up this weekend,” Michalanney said.
“The connection within the group is outstanding and I love being a part of the group, it’s so much fun, especially those away trips.
“We like hanging out together, so we get four days in Freo and we are excited for that.
“It’s an exciting time of year for us and we can’t wait for Round One against Collingwood.”
Adelaide’s AAMI Community Series match against Fremantle will be broadcast live on Kayo and Fox Footy from 4.30pm.
