ENTERING the 2013 season, the wraps on youngAdelaide midfielder Brad Crouch couldn't have been much higher. 

With a year in the system after being takenbehind Gold Coast prodigy Jaeger O'Meara in the 2011 Greater Western Sydneymini-draft, many believed he was ready to make an immediate impact. 

But while O'Meara made an impressive debutin round one, Crouch had to return to West Adelaide in the SANFL, where he honedhis craft to much acclaim in 2012. 

The feedback from the coaches was thatlike many draftees he needed to improve the defensive side of game. 

"I was pretty disappointed when Ididn't get selected for round one," Crouch told AFL.com.au. 

"But I've spoken a lot with BrentonSanderson and the coaching staff about how to improve the defensive side of mygame. 

"I've also trimmed down by eating lessand not doing as much weights to help my defensive running 

"It's something I'm really keen to getbetter at." 

Although thatmuch-anticipated debut came in round two, a hamstring injury and indifferentform stunted Crouch's progress until Saturday's breakout performance in the winover O'Meara's Suns. 

Not only did the 19-year-old rack up acareer-high 31 possessions, he was the leading tackler on the ground with six. 

It's a statistic that would have pleased hiscoaches in a performance that earned him the round 14 NAB AFL Rising Starnomination. 

"I was happy with my defensive gamemore so than getting a bit of the ball; it was the best game I've played at AFLlevel," he said. 

"It was good playing against Jaegerand I reckon he'll be the one to take out the Rising Star this year, but I'mproud to get this week's nomination." 

Crouch'sdevelopment has Sanderson excited. 

"Bradhas been very impressive in his first AFL season. He's played the majority of hisfootball in the midfield, which is extremely demanding for a player of his ageand experience," Sanderson said. 

"I'mconfident he will be a very special player for the Adelaide Football Club formany years to come." 

A product of the Beaufort Junior Football Club and NorthBallarat in the TAC Cup, Crouch has settled into life in the City of Churches. 

Hekeeps busy away from the club with a coaching course and is also involved witha charity helping the homeless. 

Buthis mind never drifts too far away from footy. 

"I watch a lot of footy and sometimes I get told I watch too much, butI've always been a massive footy-head.