“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every step along the way.”

From first-year Blue to a vital cog in Carlton’s midfield machine, Adam Cerra has found home at IKON Park.

“Everyone has been so welcoming, there’s a massive fanbase that show up every week and we play in front of 80,000 or 90,000 – there’s not much better,” he said.

“I’ve loved every day I’ve spent here and I’m looking forward to many more years to come.”

While faced with great change, Cerra has embraced the challenge in front of him.

“Personally, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it – not only the change for myself but the change for the Club, with 'Vossy' [Michael Voss], the assistant coaches and a new game plan that we’re trying to build,” he said.

“On reflection, it was a really successful change for myself and the team.

“Obviously, a bit of a disappointing finish in the end but I think we proved to ourselves that what we’re building here is on the right track. I feel like I really integrated into the team and the team has really accepted the changes that have come their way.”

Cerra made his presence felt in Navy Blue, piecing together a stellar season in which he averaged 23.3 disposals, 4.7 tackles and 4.1 clearances.

Among a talented midfield, Cerra cited his teammates as a major element of his own successful form.

“The great thing about it is that there’s no egos in there – we all just want to see each other do well and I think that’s what made us play well, and as a result the team played well.

“In the second half of the year, that mix changed up a bit and we started to get challenged but looking forward to next season, we’re looking forward to building on that connection with the mids and I think we’ll have a really good year next year as well.”

Cerra’s individual plaudits earned him his third selection in the AFL Players Association 22under22 team – despite the fact that he often forgets that he is still young enough to qualify.

“I always forget I’m still under 22: somehow it still counts, but it's great recognition.

“It’s always nice, although you don’t play for those kinds of individual accolades, but it gives you confidence heading into the next year.”

Cerra’s last game for the season was arguably his best, contributing 27 disposals and two classy goals in the final round clash with Collingwood. 

However, the one-point margin at the final siren left Cerra yearning for more.

“It left me hungry,” he said.

“It was a disappointing result, but we take a lot of confidence into the off-season and pre-season next year. We’ve stood up against some of the best teams – close losses, but we thought we played really well.

“The last game’s left me hungry for more and I can’t wait to get back into work.”

With the ability to play both inside and outside, Cerra is willing to utilise his strengths in whatever way best benefits his side.

“My ability to play inside and outside is one of my strengths," he said.

“Long-term, I’d like to be an inside midfielder and hone my craft there but we’re playing five or six mids a week and that’s our strength, having that balance and mix in there.

“I’m more than happy to play my role in that, whether that’s inside or outside for the day. Whatever is best for the team, I’m happy to do.

“Walshy [Sam Walsh] has done a similar thing playing inside and outside, Matt Kennedy has played stints up forward – if we want to play together, we’ve just got to figure out how it’s best going to work and how it will be most efficient.”

And what’s in store for the off-season?

“I’ll definitely switch off for a little bit, spend some time with friends and family,” he said.

“I’ll be heading to Europe with Mum and Dad for a bit and hopefully I’ll catch some Liverpool games over there as well.

“Then straight back into training and making sure that day one, I’m fit and ready to go to attack the footy conditioning block.”