Inside the resurgence of Matt Crouch: From SANFL struggles to in-demand free agent

After being dropped to the SANFL multiple times over the past two years, Matt Crouch has rebuilt his career. But who will benefit from his services in 2024?

Matt Crouch has rebuilt himself at Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

For the last two years Matt Crouch has been the forgotten man of Adelaide’s midfield.

In the last two games he has shown the Crows, and other potential suitors, that he still has plenty to offer at AFL level.

A 2017 All-Australian and Malcolm Blight Medallist as the Crows made the grand final, the last three years have been at the other end of the spectrum for Crouch.

A groin injury meant he didn’t play an AFL game in 2021, in 2022 he was dropped on multiple occasions to the SANFL as his future was constantly speculated about.

This year, despite eye-popping numbers in the state league, averaging nearly 32 disposals, 6.5 clearances in 2023, the 28-year-old had only managed the one game as the sub this year against Geelong in Round 8.

While the rewards weren’t coming, Crouch’s attitude impressed the Crows coaches.

“I guess when you are not where you want to be and not playing where you want to play there can be frustration,” he told this masthead.

“But regarding the team this year we have been pretty consistent. We’ve had some games that we should have won earlier on in the season that would have been nice.

Matt Crouch has forced his way back into Adelaide’s side. Picture: Getty Images

“So it has been quite a settled team up until the last four or five weeks when we have had some injuries and other guys got their opportunities.

“It can be frustrating at times but I feel like I have stayed positive and just tried to control what I can and it has been good to be back in the last couple of weeks.

“I think around the footy club I’ve tried to be positive around the group and be myself and still enjoy the week to week grind of footy.”

In the last two weeks, Crouch has gotten the rewards and returned to the Crows engine room.

And he couldn’t be happier to be back.

“Yeah I felt like I have been waiting for an opportunity and in the last couple of weeks I have enjoyed being able to get it and enjoyed being back out there,” he said.

“I’ve always backed in my ability and it has been good to have an impact.

“Obviously you want to be playing AFL footy, that is the end game and to be playing in the SANFL can be tough at times but I have been enjoying my footy at SANFL level playing with some young guys who are developing quite well.

“I have also been really positive and upbeat and when I got my chance the last few weeks I felt like I was ready to perform.”

Perform Crouch did.

Returning to the top level with Rory Laird injured against Melbourne in Round 19 Crouch had 22 disposals, nine tackles and seven clearances in the Crows narrow loss.

And while there has been a reluctance from the Crows to have Crouch and Laird in the same midfield, with Adelaide telling Crouch himself in the past it was the mix of the midfield that had him out of the side, he was retained for the Showdown against fierce rivals Port Adelaide.

With the Crows’ season on the line Crouch showed the football world just what he can do for a side with 32 disposals and 12 clearances as Adelaide beat up the Power midfield.

Crouch has spent extended time in the SANFL. Picture: SANFL Images

While it was a classic Crouch performance, plenty of touches and contested possessions with 20 of his disposals handballs, his 10 score involvements to go with his 10 the previous week were a significant increase from his average of six.

“I’ve had a focus on trying to drive and kick the ball when I have the opportunity but I also don’t want to lose the strength that is my contest and being able to put guys in better positions,” he said.

“I’m always trying to get better.

“It is always good if you can do that, you always want to hurt the opposition when you get the ball.

“So yeah it has been good to have a bit of an impact in that part of the game. Hopefully it can continue.”

The Crows will be looking to benefit from Crouch’s additions to his game as they fight for a finals spot in 2023, having snapped their losing streak against the Power.

But who will profit from this in 2024?

After some chats with clubs at the end of 2022, it is understood that up four are showing serious interest in Crouch ahead of his contract expiring at the conclusion of this season with his status as an unrestricted free agent making any potential move easier.

It is also understood Crouch’s performance against the Power has had the phone calls from clubs intensifying, with the Crows now back in the conversations.

Having been in Adelaide for 10-years, and with partner Ellie welcoming daughter Ava into the world six-months ago, South Australia is a place Crouch does feel settled.

“It is something I haven’t thought about heaps (his future) obviously my priority has been to get back in the AFL team and perform and really focus and hone in on that,” he said.

“I’ve been here for 10 years, I have a pretty settled life here. I have loved the place for all this time and it has been really good.

Crouch will be hot property during the exchange period. Picture: Getty Images

“We will see how that pans out but just focused on winning games of footy and hopefully making finals.”

But with a firm view that he has several years of top level footy still in him, it is understood Crouch will not be satisfied with being as a second or third option and playing in a state league as he has been for periods in the past two years.

Previously criticised for getting a lot of touches of the footy without having too much of an impact, Crouch believes his skill set still has a place in today’s game.

“I do feel like that style of play there is a definite role for them, there are some great players in the comp that are great in the contest and I still feel like that is a very important role in the game,” he said.

It likely means that he is facing another player movement period in which he features prominently.

“It is part of footy now in terms of it can get pretty crazy at times in the off-season, you can get the question when you are out and about in Adelaide especially with it being a footy centric town,” he said.

“That is part of being in the footy industry.”

Last year this involved Crouch being caught by TV cameras having a meeting with the Crows list manager Justin Reid.

“You can’t do anything here in Adelaide without being caught, I don’t think,” he said.

“I think it was more about where I was at, how I was going and how I was feeling. It was more of a catch-up.”

It’s all part of what Crouch loves about footy, how it can be like a rollercoaster.

“I think that is the great thing about footy, you can have times when you are down in the dumps and you can have time where it is really good,” he said.

“I think that is what everyone loves about the game, there have been some challenges but there have also been some great times and that’s what I love about it.”