Emerging Adelaide defender Nick Murray has signed a two-year contract extension with the Club after a stellar start to his AFL career.

In what has been a whirlwind seven-month journey, Murray only arrived at the Club from Henty in rural NSW in January and made an instant impression which earned him a rookie contract for the 2021 season.

He made his AFL debut against Sydney in Round 2 and has now played eight AFL games with the Crows this season, and has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension keeping him at the Club until at least 2023.

Standing 195cm and 99kg, Murray has played on some of the AFL’s best forwards this season and impressed with his ability to compete both in the air and at ground level.

He is also comfortable playing as a forward and kicked his first AFL goal when he was moved inside 50m against GWS in Round 7.

The key defender, who played with Jordon Butts at the Murray Bushrangers where he was co-captain at under-18 level, played eight games with GWS’ reserves side in 2019 and was planning on playing in the VFL last year before the season was cancelled due to Covid.

Adelaide General Manager List Management and Strategy Justin Reid said Murray deserved his opportunity and the Club was delighted to lock him in for another two years.

“He worked incredibly hard in preparing himself just for the chance to train with us over summer, and when he arrived it became clear very quickly that he had what it takes to play at the level,” Reid said.

“Nick has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches with his work ethic and appetite to compete, and as a strong bodied defender who is very good in the air we see him as an important part of our backline for years to come.”

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Sit-Down with Smithers: Nick Murray

Nick Murray joins Brodie Smith to talk about life away from football.

Murray said he was ecstatic to sign a two-year extension with the Crows.

“I was very grateful for the opportunity to train with the team at the start of the year and couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome when I arrived,” Murray said.

“I was over the moon to get a rookie contract and got to live out a dream of making my AFL debut in Round 2, and now to sign with the Club for two more years I am stoked.

“I’ve loved my time at the Club so far and I’m looking forward to experiencing some success together in the future.”