Max Michalanney produced the most impressive performance of his fledgling AFL career for the Adelaide Crows on the weekend.
The 19-year-old defender, who was taken with pick 17 in last year’s draft, was one of his side’s very best in the 39-point victory over Fremantle at the Adelaide Oval.
Michalanney had 16 disposals including 10 intercept possessions and five marks in an accomplished defensive showing which saw him rewarded with five coaches votes.
His display prompted words of praise from Nathan Buckley.
“Their backline is a no-name backline that’s been cobbled together but it’s been brilliant,” Buckley said on SEN Breakfast.
“Michalanney, the young fella, he will be a star.
“He’s only a handful of games into his career and I think that he’s going to be an excellent player.
“He’s a young fella who plays on the keys.”
Michalanney was a member of Adelaide’s Next Generation and Father-Son Academy after his dad Jim played over 200 games in the SANFL with Norwood.
The youngster is part of a backline that includes two lesser-known players, Jordon Butts and Nick Murray, that Buckley has also been taken by.
“Butts and Murray are the most understated, unheralded key defensive duo that you’re going to find,” he added.
“(Tom) Doedee is in the mix and Brodie Smith as well.”
Garry Lyon also tipped his hat to the Adelaide defence.
He highlighted the club’s desire to attract pure class in the forward half while establishing a sturdy foundation through the middle and down back.
“They’ve invested all their money and trade/draft cache forward of centre,” Lyon said.
“(Josh) Rachele, (Darcy) Fogarty was an early pick, (Riley) Thilthorpe was a number two, then they went and spent big bucks on (Izak) Rankine.
“They’ve loaded up with the class in the forward half, they’ve got the blue-collar workers in the middle that run hard and just work their backsides off and all these sorts of unrecognised, solid citizens at the back.”
The Crows improved their record to 2-2 ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Carlton at the Adelaide Oval to kick off Gather Round.