Adelaide has elected against matching St Kilda’s monster AFL offer for Brad Crouch, paving the way for the midfielder to become a Saints player.
Key points:
- The Crows will receive pick number 23 in the national draft as compensation from the AFL
- Crouch played 95 matches with the Crows, including their 2017 grand final loss
- Jesse Hogan’s move to GWS was finalised on the opening day of the AFL’s trade period
The Crows left it right until the 5:00pm (AEDT) deadline on the opening day of the AFL’s trade period to make their call, but decided not to force St Kilda into a trade for the restricted free agent.
Adelaide last week indicated it would match the bid if the Saints’ long-term offer did not draw pick number two as compensation.
But they have instead accepted a second-round selection, currently pick number 23.
“Ultimately, the risk versus reward of matching St Kilda’s offer and trying to force a trade, for say their first round selection at pick 17, which might not eventuate, didn’t stack up,” Crows list manager Justin Reid said.
“We are committed to making decisions in the best interests of the entire playing group and club, and did not see a lengthy deal as responsible list management in this instance.”
Crouch joins the Saints after playing 95 matches with the Crows, with his career at the club including their 2017 grand final loss to Richmond.
He will be linking up with the Saints following a season in which they reached their first finals series in nine years.
“St Kilda is going in the right direction and I’m stoked to be a part of it next season,” Crouch said.
“I’m determined to gain the trust and confidence of the club, its supporters and my new teammates, and I am confident that my best football is ahead of me at St Kilda.”
Crouch will miss the first two matches for the Saints next season, as he and teammate Tyson Stengle were suspended by the AFL after being found by police to be in possession of an illicit substance in Adelaide in September.
Earlier, Greater Western Sydney traded small forward Zac Langdon to West Coast and used its pick from the Eagles to secure Fremantle tall Jesse Hogan.
The Eagles flipped their third-round draft selection, currently number 54, to the Giants for Langdon, who booted 23 goals in 31 matches across three seasons for the Giants before requesting a trade.
Barely an hour later, the Giants on-traded that pick for Hogan, who joins his third AFL club on a one-year contract after stints at Melbourne and the Dockers.
The clubs had already agreed on trading Hogan, but it became official on the first day of the AFL trade period on Wednesday.
“He’s a mature hard-running and strong-marking player who, at his best, can have a big impact on-field,” Giants football manager Jason McCartney said.
“He’s excited to continue his career with us and his commitment is a great endorsement for our club.”
Meanwhile, fringe Richmond defender Oleg Markov, who played 23 matches for the Tigers since debuting in 2016, has joined Gold Coast for a future third-round draft pick.
The 24-year-old played six matches in 2020 and was emergency for the Tigers’ grand final against Geelong.
The Giants and Cats will head to the trade table with the Cats’ bevy of first-round picks — currently 13, 15 and 20 — firmly in the Giants’ sights.
AAP/ABC
