Crows do their homework on new draftee Talia

NEW ADELAIDE recruit Daniel Talia says an impromptu school visit might have swayed the club to select him with its first pick in Thursday night’s NAB AFL Draft.

The Crows had been linked to West Australian livewire Lewis Jetta at pick No.13, but were happy to pounce on Talia when cross-town rivals Port Adelaide caused a reshuffle in the order by taking Vic Metro utility Andrew Moore.

Talia, a 194cm utility, had two interviews with Adelaide plus one less conventional meeting in a classroom at the famous football breeding ground, Assumption College at Kilmore in Victoria.

“Hamish [Adelaide recruiter Hamish Ogilvie] came down to my school and had a chat to my teachers. I guess the club was really doing its homework on me,” Talia said.

“Fortunately for me, my principal Michael Kenny used to coach the U19s at Glenelg. He’s from Adelaide and he’s a big Crows’ supporter, so I think he gave me a really good rap which might’ve helped me in the end.”

Talia, who models his game on St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt, was considered one of the most sought after players in this year’s draft because of his versatility.

He played at centre half-forward for the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup competition, but earned All-Australian selection at centre half-back in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

The impressive 18-year-old is also renowned for his endurance and work ethic.

Most mock drafts had Talia going in the top 10, but he said he was happy to slide to the Crows at pick No.13.

“I didn’t really pay attention to the pre-draft hype. I didn’t read the newspapers or look on the internet, so I didn’t really have a clue where I would end up,” he said.

“The Crows called two days ago and said, ‘If you’re there at pick No.13, we’re interested in you’, but that’s all I had to go by.

“I’m just really excited and honoured to be picked by such a great club.”

The former Carlton supporter, whose grandfather Harvey Stevens played in the Bulldogs’ premiership side of 1954, will arrive in Adelaide on Sunday night.

He will be joined by two more promising utilities, Jack Gunston, from the Sandringham Dragons, and his Vic Metro teammate Sam Shaw.

The Crows rounded out their 2009 draft selections by snapping up local ruckman James Craig.

Talia was unable to complete the physical testing at last month’s draft camp because of a hamstring strain, but will be ready to start full training when he joins his new teammates for the first time next week.

Adelaide already has a number of key position players waiting for an opportunity, including former first-round draft pick Phil Davis and NAB Rising Star nominee Taylor Walker.

Talia said he wouldn’t put any expectations on himself in his first season.

“I just want to get down to the club and work as hard as I can,” he said.

“Tonight I’ll go home and talk to the family about it. Obviously, I’ve got some goodbyes to say but Adelaide’s not that far. It’s only an hour flight from Melbourne, so it’s not that big a move.

“I’m just really excited I got the opportunity to be picked up by an AFL club.”