A year ago, If you had told Brayden Cook that he’d be preparing to take part in the Crows’ finals campaign in 2026, he wouldn’t have believed you.

The utility had spent the past six seasons battling to cement a spot in Adelaide’s starting line-up.

And, last year, had only featured in three games for the Crows, missing out on playing in the Club’s first finals appearance since 2017.

Fast forward to now, and the 24-year-old is a key cog in the Crows’ side, having played all but one game in 2026.

In a candid chat with AFC Media, Cook said he got hit with a real “reality check” late last year and knew he needed to change things to have a real crack at solidifying a spot in the team.

“I think even if you'd asked me eight months before I got drafted, I still wouldn’t have thought there was a chance I was going to be on an AFL list, so to be in the position I am now, I'm very grateful,” Cook said.

“(After being drafted), I had always been sort of a fringe player, and been in-and-out of the side, so I went away at the back end of last year and put in a lot of work to get fitter, so that I could compete at the level, and probably for longer periods of time, that was the main thing I worked on.

“There was one game in particular that probably hit me harder and was a real reality check that I did have strides I needed to make, so I went away and got better. It was when we played Hawthorn late last year, and I was playing half-forward and was running around, not impacting the game at all and found myself sort of reaching.

“I spent pretty much the whole pre-season down back, and I think as a whole, it sort of rounded out my game on that wing, and that's probably the thing that's also impacted my ability to impact games is that defensive side.”

Cook, a Crows fan growing up, more than just cemented his role inside Adelaide’s starting 23 this season, but also wrote himself into Club folklore by kicking the winning goal in Showdown 59 with just seconds remaining on the clock.

Given the fast-paced nature of being an AFL player, Cook said he hadn’t spent too much time reflecting on the moment, but would do so once the season came to a close.

“I don't think the moment has sunk in properly,” Cook said.

“I grew up being a Crows supporter, and when I think of Showdowns, there's so many moments that pop into your head, it’s weird to think about my name being a part of those.

“It’s definitely up there as a career high, but there are also more things I am looking forward to, like finals.

“I know what this team's capable of, and I know how good we can be, so I am keen to knuckle down and really show that.”

Cook, who has spent time in defence, on the wing, and up-forward this season, said backman Wayne Milera had helped with his development this year.

“Wayne Milera has had a big influence on me this season, we did a little bit of training in the off season, and I've grown quite close with him,” Cook said.

“He's one that keeps me grounded, and if something's not gone my way, then he can sort of notice it and bring me back, he’s been really good for me.”

As he prepares for the first finals match of his AFL career, Cook said the Crows had drawn valuable lessons from last year's September campaign and were determined to make the most of their opportunities this time around.

“After last year, we, as a group, sat down and had a deep dive into what went well, what didn't go well, and the marginal gains we can make going into this year, and we came away with a fair bit of clarity on what's going to get us there,” Cook said.

“Any game of footy is built on moments, and we didn't make the most of ours (last year), so I think just taking them with our two hands and really making the most of it.”

Adelaide takes on the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday at 7.05pm.

General ticketing is exhausted, with hospitality packages now among the final opportunities to experience our home Elimination Final live.

Hospitality packages can be purchased here.

The game will be broadcast live on Channel 7 Adelaide, Fox Footy and Kayo.