AFTER losing key defenders Nathan Bock and Phil Davis in recent years, it is of little surprise Adelaide offered Rising Star winner Daniel Talia a three-year contract extension on Tuesday.

Talia was named the 2012 NAB AFL Rising Starafter a breakout season that saw him play on, and beat, key forwards LanceFranklin, Jack Riewoldt, Michael Hurley and Drew Petrie. 

His re-signing is significant after the loss ofkey-position players Bock and Davis, and also Jack Gunston and Kurt Tippett.

The 21-year-old defender established himself asa key pillar in the Crows' backline last season, playing 22 games before hesuffered a broken arm in the club's qualifying final loss against the SydneySwans.

He conceded an average of only one goal pergame, with Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich the only player to kick more thantwo goals against him all season.

Talia said he was happy to re-sign with the clubbefore the start of the season.

"I love playing alongside theboys here, and under Sando (coach Brenton Sanderson) and Dasher (DarrenMilburn)," he said.

"The culture is really good.We’ve got a core group of guys around my age and I’m enjoying being inAdelaide.

"Hopefully, the team has some success over the next few years and Iwant to be a part of that."

Talia’s signature follows that ofruckman Sam Jacobs, who recently added three years to his contract.

Adelaide list manager David Noble said the clubwas thrilled to secure both key players.

"Daniel will be an integral part of ourbackline for many years to come," Noble said.

"He showed great maturity in a demandingrole last season and will only get better with experience.

"Daniel is extremely professional andhardworking and we see him developing into a real leader in our young defensivegroup.

"It gives us great confidence having signedSam Jacobs and now Daniel early in the year."

?Recruited from the Calder Cannons, Talia wasAdelaide’s first selection (No.13 overall) in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.

After an injury-interrupted start to his AFLcareer, Talia made his debut against the Sydney Swans in round 15, 2011, andhas played a career total of 32 games.

Sam Jacobs is a ruckman in NAB AFL Fantasy. Heaveraged 87.33 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.

NathanSchmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan