AFL off-season news: All the latest from the Adelaide Crows as Mark Keane turns back on Collingwood return

Collingwood came hard at Mark Keane in an attempt to get the key defender back at the club. But the Irishman isn’t going anywhere, recommitting long term at the Crows.

Adelaide defender Mark Keane has turned down an offer to return to Collingwood and re-signed with the Crows.

The Magpies were hopeful of poaching Keane – who had one year remaining on his deal at Adelaide – to help Darcy Moore at Collingwood next season.

But, as first reported by the Herald Sun last week, the Crows presented the 24-year-old with a longer-term deal, believing he is a key part of the club’s future.

Mark Keane has re-signed with the Crows. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Keane was already contracted for next year but has recommitted until at least the end of 2028.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Crows and although it’s only been two seasons I’ve created a great bond with the players and staff at the club, as well as the people of Adelaide and our fans,” Keane said.

“I feel like I’ve come a long way and taken my opportunities and hopefully there is a lot of improvement to come in the next four years, so I can’t wait to get back to work with my teammates in pre-season.”

The key defender played five games for the Pies in 2020 and 2021 but returned to Ireland after becoming homesick in Australia.

But he decided to give footy another crack at the end of 2022 and at the start of 2023 he returned to Australia when Adelaide picked him up as a pre-season supplemental selection player following former No. 6 pick Fischer McAsey quitting the club and the game.

After not having much of a pre-season Keane spent most of the 2023 campaign in the SANFL, but the Crows’ key defensive stocks getting hit hard with injuries meant he made his debut for Adelaide in the Round 20 Showdown win over Port Adelaide - in which he negated Power key forward Charlie Dixon.

He played the final five games for the Crows in 2023 and while he missed Adelaide’s season opener against Gold Coast this year - after he suffered a concussion following a big bump by Sam Powell-Pepper in a pre-season clash - he was quickly back in the side and established himself as arguably the best key defensive option for Matthew Nicks.

Keane returned to Ireland prior to the Crows’ final game of the season against Sydney and Nicks said he was confident he would return to West Lakes for 2025 and beyond despite Collingwood pushing hard for a reunion.