Adelaide defender Luke Brown says a Rising Star nomination is small consolation for missing the AFL finals.
Brown is the fourth Crow nominated for this year’s award, following Sam Kerridge, Brad Crouch and Rory Laird.
Adelaide’s key backman Daniel Talia won the award last season, highlighting what Brown says is a core of young talent who are forming strong bonds at the Crows.
“They’re the guys you hang out with the most. The bond is pretty strong right now and it’s going to keep growing and growing,” Brown told reporters on Monday.
“There is a lot of excitement around the group … next year is a big year for us.”
The 21-year-old Brown played three AFL games last season and initially set a modest goal for 2013: to play about 10 AFL matches.
But after winning round one selection, he altered his ambition.
“Once I got in the side, I wanted to play every game and keep my spot – and I was able to do that,” said Brown, who missed just one match, through injury.
The half-back flanker was nominated for the Rising Star for his standout 21-disposal game in Adelaide’s thrashing of West Coast on Saturday night.
“It’s a nice way to finish off the season I guess,” Brown said.
“We had a good win. And I have put a lot of hard work into this year and been really focusing on playing every game.
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“To get this is a good reward for a great season for me.”
But Brown said his over-riding feeling was disappointment at Adelaide missing the finals, blaming concentration lapses and injuries.
“We thought we were good enough to make it,” he said.
“We’re not that far off. We played some good footy this year, just not for long enough and not in every game.”
