SAM Murray expected criticism about Collingwood's decision to trade for him last year, but even he was taken aback at the ferocity of it. 

There were various versions of this: "Why would the Magpies give up a second-round pick for a rookie-listed Swan who couldn't crack it for an AFL game in two seasons?" 

Now, the 20-year-old, the round three NAB AFL Rising Star nominee, has his own message for those critics, who also ignored the fact there were other picks involved in the deal.

"The funny thing was when a lot of people made those comments, they'd never seen me play football," Murray told AFL.com.au.

"They'd made judgments off the stats that I hadn't played an AFL game, but I don't think they're saying too much now."

Murray's become a fearless, line-breaking weapon for Collingwood at half-back, winning 19, 20 then 21 disposals (at 81 per cent efficiency) in the first three games of his AFL career.

He rounded out his performance against Carlton on Friday night at the MCG – the scene of his maiden victory – with seven marks, six intercept possessions, four tackles and 362 metres gained.

Murray transformed from a forward into a defender under then-Sydney NEAFL coach Rhyce Shaw, and he made the competition's team of the year in 2017 in a ringing endorsement.

His bold style of play is described, affectionately it must be added, as "arrogant" by his former Wodonga Raiders coach and ex-Swans star Daryn Cresswell. 

(Murray was quick to point out he is "quiet" and "chilled" off the field). 

Cresswell credits his protégé's swift rise at the Holden Centre to Magpies coach Nathan Buckley's more offensive playbook compared to Sydney counterpart John Longmire.

"I play with that confidence and I was lucky enough to get told weekly (at Wodonga) that me playing with that confidence was a good thing – not a bad thing," Murray said.

"It was Daryn then, but also 'Bucks' now. He's put massive faith in me to step up at Collingwood and to use my run and carry and take the game on." 

Cresswell is the man who picked up the pieces when a distraught Murray walked into the Raiders' gym and told him the Murray Bushrangers had cut him from their TAC Cup squad.

The 244-game Swan also employs Murray's two brothers, Paddy and hotshot AFL draft prospect Nick, in his landscaping business.

"I was devastated at the time (when he was cut from the Bushies). I probably didn't want to show it, because there were other boys around," Murray said.

"I remember just seeing 'Crezza' and telling him and I broke down, because all I ever wanted to do was be an AFL player.

"I know there's more to life, but at 18 years of age, I really wanted to give it a good crack and people tell you along the way that TAC Cup footy is the way you get in." 

Cresswell understood the urgency of the situation, while coming to terms with his own bewilderment, and ushered the then-teenager into his office to map a way forward. 

The rest is history, with Murray finishing third in the Morris Medal – the Ovens and Murray league's highest individual honour – then joining Sydney with pick 66 in the rookie draft.

FROM 2015: Draft smokey Murray rockets into contention

"It would have been easy for him to say 'It's all too hard' and sit and play country footy for the next five or six years," Cresswell told AFL.com.au.

"But he kept driving himself and wanting to improve and hopefully now he can make a career out of it.

"I know for a fact that Sydney fought pretty hard to keep him … and a lot of people mightn't think this, but I personally think the two years there really toughened him up."

Murray had one more message to give, this time for those kids who share his AFL dream, but aren't on the traditional path.

"It's pretty clichéd, but never give up," he said.

"If you truly believe you can do it, and want to do it, then go do it – don't let anyone stop you."