“I’m calling B.S”: Footy broadcaster rubbishes Adelaide coach's comments on All-Australian midfielder

Experienced football broadcaster Kym Dillon believes Adelaide and coach Matthew Nicks have egg on their faces after recent performances by midfielder Matt Crouch.

Crouch received his first chance to play a full game in Round 19 against Melbourne, picking up 22 disposals, nine tackles and seven clearances.

He backed that up in the Showdown with 32 disposals, 12 clearances, six tackles, plus seven coaches votes.

The All-Australian midfielder has been consistently overlooked by Nicks and the Crows this year and the Adelaide coach praised him for adding strings to his bow.

“I think the opportunity just hasn’t shown itself this year for him. He’s been playing strong footy at SANFL level,” Nicks said at his press conference.

“That squad mentality, Matt’s been a big part of that. There’s obviously been conversations around (Rory) Laird and 'Crouchy' in the same midfield.

“Matt has worked a lot around his game and adding to his weapon which is on the inside of stoppages. He’s showing that and other parts to his game at the moment which has been really pleasing because it’s allowed us to play a slightly different midfield mix.

“Really pleasing to see a player get reward for patience, for having a team-first mentality and you get what you deserve.”

However, Dillon has dismissed Nicks’ comments, saying Crouch is the exact same player he’s always been and has simply proven the club wrong.

“Get me a bucket, I want to vomit,” Dillon said on SEN SA.

“I’m calling B.S on a lot of that, I am. Don’t give us all that rubbish.

“In some ways there’s no right and wrong here. They are trying to get game time into young players, but don’t go on about all these tweaks in his game because he is the same player he was before, you just chose not to play him.

“You’ve got a bit of gooey egg on your face. At least be gracious and say ‘hey, we went in a different direction, Matt has hung in there, and full credit to him he’s got his chance and proved everyone wrong’.”

Crouch has been out of favour at the Crows under Nicks and is out of contract at the end of the season.

Will he re-sign at Adelaide or will a club present him with greater opportunities?

THREE CLUBS FLOATED AS POTENTIAL HOME FOR ADELAIDE MIDFIELDER CROUCH