Which clubs could go after Matt Crouch if Adelaide do not offer him a new contract this year?
The 28-year-old has been back in vogue in recent weeks after being frozen out by the Crows for much of the 2023 season.
Crouch, who is without a contract beyond this year, has starred over the last fortnight since returning to Matthew Nicks’ side. He picked up 22 disposals, laid nine tackles and had seven clearances against Melbourne in Round 19.
Last weekend he was one of the best players on the ground, finishing with 32 touches, 12 clearances, seven inside 50s, six tackles and seven coaches votes in Adelaide’s massive Showdown win over Port Adelaide.
So if the Crows do not come knocking with a new deal, where could the 2017 Malcolm Blight Medallist and All-Australian end up?
Kane Cornes and Gerard Healy discussed some potential landing spots for Crouch, throwing up Sydney, Geelong and West Coast as potential suitors.
“I’ve been watching Matt Crouch in the last fortnight,” Cornes said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“He’s got to be a starting midfielder for an AFL club next season.”
Healy added: “I couldn’t agree more.
“I’ve been looking at Matt Crouch for three years saying, ‘How come someone hasn’t had a gamble on him?’.
“I’m staggered that Sydney haven’t had a crack at him given that they’ve got some issues in that area themselves.”
Cornes continued: “I’m looking at Geelong.
“If Geelong don’t get a big name like a Darcy Parish or a Bailey Smith, who has been spoken about, Crouch is not going to cost you much.
“He didn’t have a suitor last year, not one person wanted to touch him. He’s come straight back into Adelaide’s team after spending the whole year playing SANFL.
“Against Melbourne on the ‘G, a very good team, he’s had 22 (disposals), seven clearances and nine tackles last week. Then he got seven coaches votes in a Showdown against another very good midfield in Pot Adelaide with 32 and 12 clearances.
“There were no takers last year, you’d think the last fortnight has completely changed that. The last four weeks will be significant in building his value and there’ll be clubs watching him.
“West Coast, you’d offer him four years, wouldn’t you? You’d say, ‘Come and play every week in our midfield and lead this young group, we need the experience’.”
Healy replied: “You’ve rightly pointed out three clubs - West Coast, Geelong and Sydney.
“Then there’s probably others without having any deep thought about it.”
Former teammate Josh Jenkins has been pushing the Crouch agenda since his return to senior level.
The former Crows forward is adamant that Crouch has a place in the AFL despite his lack of opportunity at Adelaide over the last few seasons.
See his pro-Crouch Tweets below:
Do not tell me M. Crouch has no place at AFL level…
— Josh Jenkins (@JoshJenkins24) July 23, 2023
10 of his 22 disposals were score involvements (he’s not damaging they say) + 7 clearances, 9 tackles and 91% disposal efficiency.
Weekly M Crouch is an AFL player tweet!
— Josh Jenkins (@JoshJenkins24) July 29, 2023
30+ disposals, 10 score involvements, 12 clearances, 7 inside fifties… #AFLcrowsport
Crouch has played 30 AFL matches since the beginning of the 2020 season, often overlooked in 2022 when playing just 11 matches while only playing three times at the top level so far in 2023.