Versatile Adelaide youngster Andy Otten believes the high demands and confidence of his coaches has helped make his first year in the AFL system a productive one.
Otten has impressed the South Australian public with his form in the SANFL and is now making his mark on the national competition with a promising second game with the Crows against Richmond on Sunday.
The 19-year-old collected 10 possessions and was used up forward and in the midfield. Otten admitted it was an improvement on his debut when he had limited game time, collected just three touches and was part of a losing side against Hawthorn.
"I think playing in the first game helped me understand the step up so I was a bit better prepared for this game," he said.
The only disappointment for the 192-cm player was kicking two points from set shots.
"Obviously I would've like to kick a few goals - (I think I'll do) a bit of kicking practice this week! I'd back myself in to kick them (normally) but obviously it's something to work on now," he said.
Otten said the high expectations of Neil Craig had ensured he was playing at his best.
"He really demands a lot from us youngsters which is good in our first year. A lot of clubs mellow through their first and second year players but he really wants us to be pushing for selection and really demands a lot of us out on the track," he said.
"We are part of the list now and he treats us exactly like that so if our skill level is not right he'll make sure we know about it and have to improve it."
"Craigy has talked to me about my running, he wants me to attack with some more speed and defensive run as well so I've been working on that at training."
Otten said the opportunities he received at the start of the season by former South Adelaide and Power coach John Cahill had also kick-started his year.
"Jack was real good and gave me a go straight away and probably gave me a bit of confidence in the pre-season games in South Adelaide," he said.
"The SANFL is a good, tough competition to set yourself in first and then obviously it's a big step up and one that's going to be expected - just the intensity and the skill level is what you've really got to get used to quickly to play AFL."
Craig said he was happy with the efforts of his first-year player.
"He looked more composed than the last time he played which was against Hawthorn and if he finished those goals he would have finished with double figure possessions plus two goals," he said.
"I was pretty pleased with what Andrew was able to do for us in a variety of positions which is always difficult."