Adelaide CEO Tim Silvers says the club will look to pick up discussions with Matt Crouch and his future next week, hinting that the 28-year-old wants to remain a Crow.
Crouch fell out of favour with the senior side in mid-2022, a trend that continued at the start of this season. With the 2017 All-Australian out of contract, a fresh start was widely speculated for Crouch.
But the elite ball winner won his spot back when Rory Laird was injured in Round 19 and has since remained in the best 22.
Silvers was full of praise for how Crouch navigated the tricky situation.
“My thoughts off the top with Matt is that what he has done this year has been absolutely outstanding,” he told SEN’s Sportsday SA.
“The way he’s handled himself, it’s tough for a guy who’s been a best and fairest winner and an All-Australian to be languishing a little bit in the reserves for a lot of the year.
“But the way he held himself, the way he brought our young players through, his commitment to training has all been first class. And when he got his opportunity, wow, he’s just taken it.
“It’s been a real credit to him.”
As Silvers notes, metres gained and disposal efficiency are two areas where Crouch has traditionally fallen down.
But in 2023, Crouch’s kicking efficiency is the best it's been across his career, while he’s also returned to best and fairest levels in terms of effective disposals.
As for Crouch’s future, Silvers said: “I think he wants to stay in Adelaide. He’s got a young family now, he enjoys it here and we’re probably going to pick up (contract talks) with him officially after the last game of the season.”
The Adelaide boss also offered credit for the improvement in Crouch’s outside game.
“His last four or five weeks have been excellent, it is noticeable the way he’s driving his legs,” Silvers added.
“He’s still getting the contested ball but also getting more metres gained… he’s been a really good leader for us in what is still a pretty inexpericed midfield.”
Crouch has played 142 games for the Crows since being drafted in 2013.