Henty's Nick Murray gets opportunity to launch AFL career at Adelaide Crows

Murray was one of the standout performers in this year's AFL Riverina Championship after returning home to Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.

The talented key position product was in AFL clubs' sights 12 months ago but signed with VFL club Williamstown after being overlooked in the Draft.

Adelaide have offered Murray a lifeline, inviting he and delisted Crows player Ayce Taylor to train through pre-season with the club still holding one available space on their list.

Murray, who turned 20 last week, admitted the Crows opportunity came as a pleasant surprise.

"It should be good. It was a bit surprising. I got a call a few weeks ago," Murray said.

"I wasn't sort of expecting it but they were pretty keen last year and I thought they might have taken me but it's good that they've given me an opportunity this year and hopefully I can take it with both hands then something comes from it."

Murray will go head-to-head, as such, with athletic utility Ayce Taylor for the last spot from January 4. Taylor was rookie listed by the Crows this year but delisted having not played much football at all.

"It's me and another bloke fighting for it so it will be interesting but it will be good though," Murray said.

Murray played predominantly at centre-half-forward for GGGM this year but his season was brought to a crashing halt when he broke his collarbone in the final minute of the Lions' elimination final win over Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes.

He said it has healed now and won't hinder him at Adelaide.

"It feels good. I'm back to lifting weights and doing everything I could before I broke it," he said.

"I was a bit surprised how quick I could get back into everything. It's just the metal plate in there now so I've got to get used to that but everything's going good, which is good.

"I've been doing a bit with Wangaratta pre-Christmas anyway."

Murray said he thoroughly enjoyed the season at GGGM.

"It was good. I loved it," he said.

"Playing, not non-pressure footy, but you could just go out there and have a kick with all your mates and all the boys I've known since I was real young. It was real fun, hopefully the boys enjoyed us being back and maybe in 10 or so years time we could do a similar thing but we'll wait and see."

Murray was happy to be playing football but does not think his performance this season had any bearing on his AFL chances.

"Probably not. I'm not sure if there was any vision from it," he said.

"I think it's more from last year because a lot of recruiters would be going off footage from last year because no one's played this year."

Murray will finish harvest on Christmas Eve and enjoy a week's break before heading to Adelaide.

"I'll finish up Christmas Eve, refresh a bit, it's been a big few months of harvest and then get stuck into it," he said.

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