Sydney has emerged as the frontrunner for born-again Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch, whose future at AFL level again hangs in the balance.
Crouch is seeking a multi-year deal to extend his AFL career after breaking back into the Crows’ AFL side having spent the best part of two seasons racking up big numbers in the SANFL.
The Crows have signalled their intent to keep the 28-year-old, presenting him with a one-year deal at his exit meeting this week.
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Foxfooty.com.au understands that while no formal offer has been tabled to Crouch or his management, the Swans are the club most interested in his services should he opt to not accept the deal the Crows have tabled to him.
The Victorian product is settled in Adelaide with a young family, but is open to moving interstate to prolong his AFL career.
The Swans are the most interested of several clubs that have been linked to Crouch – an unrestricted free agent who can automatically move to any club of his choice should he accept a contract offer.
Crouch, who won the Malcolm Blight Medal and was named in the All-Australian team in 2017, has played 143 games for the Crows since being selected with Pick 23 in the 2013 national draft. But only 20 of those matches have come in the last three seasons.
After struggling to break into the Crows’ best 22 for almost two years, Crouch reignited his AFL career during the latter stages of Adelaide’s 2023 campaign.
Crouch was rewarded by Crows coach Matthew Nicks for his sustained dominance at SANFL level when he was re-called for the Round 19 clash against Melbourne at the MCG.
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He held his spot the following week and finished second in the voting for the Showdown Medal against the Power, collecting 32 disposals, 15 contested possessions and 12 clearances.
Crouch then finished the year strongly with 31 disposals, 12 contested possessions and six clearances against West Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
Adelaide Crows Press Conference | 07:32
Nicks after the Showdown said Crouch had done “outstandingly well” to grasp his AFL lifeline after he looked set to depart the club during last year’s trade period.
“He has worked the younger guys at SANFL level, he’s played at the level every week and said, ‘I’m ready to play’ and when the opportunity presented itself, he has come in and stood up two weeks in a row,” Nicks told reporters after the Round 20 win over Port Adelaide.
“It’s unquestionable what he’s done this year in challenging circumstances, where he is an experienced player that wants to play.”