RELIABLE Adelaide defender Andy Otten is prepared to take any chance thrown his way ahead of his 12th season with the Crows.
The 29-year-old played eight games last year, biding his time early on before an Achilles issue slowed him down.
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Encouraging performances in the final two games of the year – with 19 disposals and five marks in the round 22 win against North Melbourne, followed by 21 touches and 10 marks in a 104-point thumping of Carlton – gave Otten a valuable shot in the arm.
"I've always believed in myself," Otten told AFL.com.au.
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"Sometimes you've got to, not show everyone again, but prove it, I guess.
"You put in all the hard work and to get some reward is always good."
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Otten ended the season unsure whether he would be back at the Crows having been told he would have to wait until after the NAB AFL Trade Period before being offered a new contract.
However, the Crows had a change of heart and came to the table with a one-year extension in early October.
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"I was in constant talks with the club and we knew where each other stood, which was great," Otten said.
"They told me we'd probably have to wait until after Trade Period, which was fine, but just after the season finished, after the Grand Final, they rang up and said we don't need to wait, we'll sign you up now.
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"That was a bit of a relief and great to hear before the Trade Period and the stress that comes with that.
"I just had a little daughter as well, so to get that locked in was great."
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Otten's career is one of resilience, having fought his way back from a torn ACL in 2014.
He didn't play in the AFL in the next two seasons, making his long-awaited comeback 960 days later in the round one encounter against Greater Western Sydney at the start of the 2017 season.
The rollercoaster he has been on during his 106 games made it all the more special when he became a life member of the Crows this week.
"To be a one-club player, something you dream of as a kid and to have it fulfilled and to be given this reward, it makes you reflect on the career you've had," Otten said.
"It's been such as an amazing journey.
"I've had the highs and the lows, but I wouldn't change anything, it's made me who I am."
Otten has taken on an unofficial mentoring role to the Crows' young defenders.
With established backmen Daniel Talia and Kyle Hartigan in the rehab group, draftees Will Hamill, Lachlan Sholl and Jordon Butts have been given plenty of opportunities at training.
"We've had a few of our keys out injured, so we've been getting a lot of reps and the new fellas coming in are getting thrown straight into all the drills through a lack of numbers," Otten said.
"They're doing really well.
"I'm enjoying training down there and helping out the coaches and these young guys."
