Adelaide utility Brayden Cook says a clear off-season goal to get fitter has been the main catalyst behind his improvement in 2026. 

Cook has played in all six of the Crows’ matches so far this season, already eclipsing the three he played in 2025, and is averaging career highs in disposals (16.7) and marks (5.0). 

Speaking to the media on Monday, Cook explained how the work he had put into his fitness across the summer had paid dividends for him on the field.  

“Each off-season I’ve had little things I’ve needed to fix up, but this one was just really obvious for me, and talking to Burgo (Darren Burgess) at the end of last year it was all about needing to get fitter,” Cook said. 

“That’s allowed me to show what I can do more consistently, which has been the major difference for me this year. 

“I did a lot of work in the off-season with Tyler Welsh at Arruda (a gym in Adelaide) where we did a lot of crossies (cross fit sessions), a lot of heat room sessions and a lot of things to get the heart rate going. 

“It was more to break that mental barrier in how far I could push myself, and I noticed in the pre-season I felt a lot fresher later in the sessions and built confidence off that.” 

Along with improving his fitness base, the 23-year-old has also gone to work on the mental side of his game. 

He said building belief in his ability has helped him stay more engaged in games and be able to impact on a consistent basis. 

“Having the coaches just back me in has been huge for my confidence, and the weekend’s game is just a product of that, ” Cook said. 

“I’ve done a lot of work mentally just to not fade out in games, that’s been the big focus for me this year.

“Now having spent half a decade here at the Adelaide Footy Club, I feel I’ve really grown up as a footballer and a person and felt I’ve gotten a lot better in all aspects of my life.”  

Cook’s growth was on show against St Kilda on Saturday night, as he polled four coaches’ votes for his 19 disposals, seven marks and seven score involvements.

He also produced one of the highlights of the night, in the form of a classy checkside finish which earned him a Goal of the Year nomination for Round Six. 

“It was actually funny, even after the game I was talking to one of our staff members and he was saying ‘mate you were practicing that Captain’s Run all session before the game so no wonder it went through’,” Cook said. 

“As a kid you are always practicing shots like that, and that’s what I like to do the day before a game, get in front of the goals and have a bit of fun. 

“So it was nice to see that practice come off and have that go through in the game, I’ve watched it back a few times, it’s been a bit hard to avoid seeing it around.” 

Adelaide travels to Brisbane this Sunday afternoon to take on the Lions at The Gabba, with the match to start at 2.45pm (ACST). 

Fans can watch the game live on Channel 7 Adelaide and Fox Footy/Kayo.